Goa government has issued a demand notice to JSW Steel Ltd for handling coal at Mormugao Port Trust, to pay Rs 156.34 crore as Goa Rural Improvement and Welfare Cess, within two weeks for transporting coal.
On November 9, 2020, a copy of the demand notice was issued to the Assistant Director of Transport and was demanded to pay Rs 156.34 crore to the state within 15 days. The notice also says that the company representative may face imprisonment of two years or a fine of Rs. 25,000, if they fail to pay the cess.
The government has said that the company was served a show-cause notice on September 4, 2020, for non-payment of cess under Goa Rural Improvement and Welfare Act, 2020 for transportation of coal done through Mormugao Port Trust to the plant site.
The company representative was asked to remain present before the Transport Department on September 16, 2020. Furthermore, the notice mentions that the company in their reply on October 13, 2020, said that due to the COVID-19 outbreak minimum staff reported to duty.
The company failed to report back to the state government after the COVID-related lockdown was lifted.
