Corruption behind Coal Cess cut Instead of giving stimulus to Goan industry, Parrikaris distributing largesse to Karnataka industries with ulterior motives. The cut in cess on coal from Rs 250 per ton to Rs 50 per ton, will result into an annual loss of Rs 160 croreto the State exchequer, while almost wholly benefitting Karnataka’s Jindal steel plant and that too at a time when Parrikar and other BJP boys are crying wolf over the state facing an acute financial crisis. Befitting the “fox” title, Parrikaralso tried to misguide the press. He is reported as saying that Goa will get Rs 100 crore from 17 million ton coal/coke. This is a blatant lie. If you check MPT website (link: mptgoa/trafficnew1.php ), youwill find that only 7.87 million ton coal/cokeis handled and not 17 million ton as claimed. At reduced cess of Rs 50 per ton, Goa’s annual revenue will only be Rs 40 crore down from Rs 200 crore at Rs 250 per ton. More important is that a single entity (Jindal) will benefit 95% of this Rs 160 crore each year. Inquiries reveal that 95% of this coal, which lands at MPTis taken by trains to Jindal’s Bellary steel plant. The fact that just one company Jindal benefits 95% of the bounty makes it scandalous. The Goan people stand to lose from Parrikar’s deceitful cess cut. These coal trains running from Vasco to Kulem,create huge nuisance for Goans living along the railway line. Each coal train weighing 5000 tons passes every hour through Dabolim, Cansaulim, Majorda, Margao, Curtorim, Chandor, Curchorem making deafening noise. The vibrations created by these trains are 1000 times severe compared to passenger trains and develop fractures in many houses in Curtorim and other places in Goa. Many times, I have been held up almost for half an hour at Chandor railway crossing waiting for 1 km longcoal train with 60 waggons and three high powered engines to pass. Similar must be the agony of people at other level crossings like Cansaulim and Majorda. Handling of this coal is the cause of severe pollution and health hazards in the port town of Mormugao. Despite all these sufferings of the people of Goa, it is amusing how a chief minister can agree to reduce the cess for the benefit of a Karnataka industrialist. It is also illogical and irrational to reduce coal cess when imported Coal has become cheaper by 30%, making it less burdensome for the steel plants. After his secrete visit to Europe, Parrikar has unleashed slew of corrupt and unscrupulous agendas, wherein few private businessmen stand to benefit huge amounts at the cost of the state exchequer. “Free of cost” renewal of 27 mining leases, Gifting of 15.2 lakh square metre Mopa land for non-airport purposes and that too with FAR of 400% are the major avenues of kickbacks resorted by the CM. The costs of proposed Panjim-Old Goa Road and Dabolim grade separator are also inflated. CM seems to have upped the old20% Valanka tax to30% Abhijat tax on GSIDC contracts. The Coal Cess cut is the latest one in the sequence. People of Goa need to be even more alert to prevent the scams by the U-turning fox, whose regime is breaking all records of corruption and stashing the newly opened European bank account.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 05:44:14 +0000
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