the goan I network
MAPUSA
Opposing the reassessment of house tax in Aldona, Goa Industrial and Development Corporation (GIDC) Chairman and Aldona MLA, Glen Ticlo on Tuesday said the village sarpanch has failed to follow proper procedures to reassess house tax.
“The Aldona sarpanch had suddenly come up with the reassessment of house tax. I stopped it because of the opposition of the people. The panchayat had appointed an independent agency to do a survey of houses/establishments in the village without taking the Block Development Officer and the Director of Panchayat into confidence,” Ticlo said while addressing a news conference in Mapusa.
Ticlo said that under the Panchayat Raj Act the panchayat was allowed to impose a certain amount of house tax but the panchayat cannot appoint an agency to re-evaluate the house tax.
“Some panch members and the sarpanch has been trying to confuse the people of the village and people began asking whether I was involved in the house tax issue,” he said.
The Aldona MLA disclosed that Aldona sarpanch was upset with his stand on the issue and therefore moved the High Court.
“The High Court has directed the Director of Panchayat to follow proper procedure in reassessing the house tax,” said Ticlo further disclosing that the sarpanch was being instigated by his political opponents.
Surprisingly, Aldona locals had passed a resolution for reassessment of house tax in a gram sabha on April 15, 2018.
The gram sabha had given the panchayat a go-ahead to reassess the house tax and tax on commercial establishments including guest houses, rented rooms, etc.
Last month, Aldona panchayat moved the High Court after its request for reassessment of taxes in the village as per the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 was cold shouldered by the government.
In a writ petition, the panchayat prayed for issuing an order directing the Director of Panchayats and the Block Development Officer (BDO) to give necessary approval for the work of reassessment of tax and the expenditure sanction for
the same.
‘Won’t allow coal transport on roads, jetties, but via river I am helpless’
MAPUSA: Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo on Tuesday reaffirmed that no coal transportation will take place at the four jetties and on the roads in Aldona but that he was helpless if coal was transported via the Aldona River. “No coal transport will take place through the four jetties and roads of Aldona. If my people do not want, I won’t allow it. But if coal is transported by the river passing through Aldona I cannot help it,” Ticlo said.
The Aldona MLA stated that the 25 metre MDR road was announced in 2006-08 by the then government in the Regional Plan but not with the intent of setting up of a coal jetty.
He further said that Goencho Avaaz had made baseless allegations against him that a jetty was being developed in Aldona for transportation of coal.
