PANAJI
The Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the Goa Panchayat Raj 10 (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to grant house numbers to unauthorised structures in villages and empowers panchayats to collect taxes on various goods, services and facilities.
The Bill seeks to add a new provision to levy taxes on buildings constructed without authorisation within the limits of panchayat areas.
As per the new provisions, the panchayat can revise rates within a specified limit once every three years within a minimum increase of 10%, while the panchayat may also levy a water rate for supply of water for drinking and other purposes.
The panchayat will also be empowered to determine tax on entertainment other than cinematography shows, tax on vehicles (other than motor vehicles), tax on advertisement and hoardings, pilgrim fee on persons attending the jatras, festivals, etc., where necessary arrangement for water supply, health and sanitation are made by the Panchayat.
The Bill also enables the panchayat to levy a market fee on persons who keep their goods for sale in any marketplace, fee on the registration of cattle brought for sale in any marketplace, fee on buses and taxies and auto-stands, provided adequate facilities are provided for the travellers by the Panchayat.
The panchayats can also levy fees on grazing cattle, lighting tax, drainage tax, tax on profession, trades, calling and employment and fees for sale of goods in melas.
