MAPUSA
In a bid to recover several lakhs in unpaid house tax, the Aldona panchayat has decided to adopt a stricter stance against defaulters, following a heated gram sabha meeting held on Sunday.
Responding to mounting concerns from villagers over the panchayat’s failure to collect house tax, Sarpanch Ashwin D’Souza stated that although multiple notices have been sent to defaulters, many continue to ignore them.
“The Panchayat will now take proactive measures,” he said, adding that defaulters who do not clear dues after receiving demand notices may face power disconnection or sealing of their premises.
Villagers at the meeting expressed frustration over the loss of vital revenue, urging the panchayat to act sternly.
In response, D’Souza confirmed that demand notices would be served, and the electricity department would be asked to disconnect power to non-compliant households.
However, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira raised a legal caveat, stating that the panchayat may not have the authority to direct power disconnections.
“Instead, if someone fails to pay house tax, he may not have the right to occupy the house. The panchayat can consider sealing the premises,” he suggested.
The meeting also addressed growing concerns over water shortages and the unchecked expansion of multi-dwelling units in the village.
Local resident Cosme Fernandes alleged that several such units were illegally using booster pumps to siphon water from public pipelines.
Another villager, Savio Figuieredo, proposed that these units be taxed at commercial rates.
The sarpanch announced that the panchayat is considering withholding construction licences for new multi-dwelling units unless adequate water infrastructure is ensured.
Meanwhile, the MLA assured the gram sabha that he would take up the booster pump issue with the PWD and is exploring legal options to bar swimming pools in multi-dwelling complexes.
Garbage disposal was another concern raised, with Fernandes highlighting that several multi-dwelling units had failed to implement proper waste management systems.
The panchayat had previously agreed to take action on this issue.
The sarpanch informed the gathering that all such units would be issued notices to have functional dustbins installed by April 16.
