The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) headed by Retired District Judge A.D.Salkar and comprising of Mr.J.A Keny has today issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes directing them to appear on 9th December in connection with the petition filed against the State Government's illegal and very high-handed circular issued by the Commercial Taxes department attempting to deviously make all business activity in the State go cashless from December 31st.
In the complaint to the GHRC today it has been stated that inn absolute and gross violation of Human Rights, the Goa Government had very high-handedly and without application of mind, decided that the State go cashless. It has been stated that neither the Government of India nor the Reserve Bank of India has declared that cash transactions are invalid or that cash payments are no longer valid. It has also been pointed out that use of cash is not prohibited anywhere in the world, even in those countries where substantial transactions happen through cash-less avenues. Attention of the GHRC has been drawn that in a legal perspective, a ‘Contract’ is for consideration, which can be in cash or kind or partly in cash or partly in kind, which may be paid or promised to be paid. Stating that the Commercial Taxes Department of a State has no jurisdiction to issue a circular seeking to make all business transactions cashless, it has been stated in the petition that when the Central law recognises such mode of payment and cash is considered as legal tender, it was impermissible for a State Authority to seek to belittle the Central legislation and put the common man into inconvenience. Pointing out to the plight of the common man, it has been stated that even if some do apply for bank cards they may or may not be issued one and that the networks and power supply fail so frequently in Goa. In the petition it has been sought that the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Commercial taxes be directed to explain as to how they have been proceeding so haphazardly in contravention of our Human Right to use currency which is a legal tender. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com