Panaji: The state cabinet on Thursday granted approval to levy an annual road tax rate or a one-time tax for construction equipment vehicles, such as excavators, wheel loaders, mobile cranes, forklift trucks, etc., instead of the existing one-time tax. The owners have to pay 1% of the cost of the vehicle as annual tax or 9% of the cost of the vehicle as one-time tax at the time of registrationConstruction equipment vehicles are primarily used in infrastructure and construction activities and often operate intermittently or within confined project areas. The current system of one-time taxation places a significant upfront financial burden on owners, irrespective of actual usage over time.Representations have been received from Goa Crane Owners Association, requesting an annual tax instead of the existing one-time tax at the time of registration for construction equipment vehicles.“There is no concession/reduction in tax rate, instead the option is provided to the registered owner to either pay tax yearly at the rate of 1% of the cost of the vehicle as annual tax or 9% of the cost of vehicle as one time tax at the time of registration,” the cabinet said.In another cabinet decision, state govt granted approval to the proposal for procurement of a landlocked parcel of land admeasuring 7,925sqm in Cacora-Curchorem, Quepem, for the use of ITI Cacora at a total compensation of Rs 1.9 crore under the Policy on Procurement of Land under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, subject to obtaining tree felling permission in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Forest Conservation Act/Rules, and other relevant statutes, wherever required.
