PANAJI
Almost half of the capital city's residential homes and business premises are not paying up house tax and trading fees to the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP), mayor Rohit Monserrate claimed as he announced a recovery drive commencing from Thursday.
Monserrate who addressed the media after the ordinary meeting held on Wednesday said the tax recovery drive is expected to rake in at least Rs 2 crore per month for the civic body.
The mayor was accompanied by his deputy, Sanjiv Naik.
On the controversial market tenants occupation fiasco, Monserrate said the CCP is on the path of resolving the matter and in process of formulating new agreements by incorporating issues raised by the tenants.
"We have also sought inputs from the councillors. Once ready it will be sent for legal vetting and then submitted to the government for approval," Monserrate said, adding that these new lease agreements will only be executed with those tenants on the original list of the GSIDC.
The new CCP market was constructed way back in 2003 after demolishing the dilapidated old market building by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation during the Chief Ministership of the late Manohar Parrikar.
However, the tenants were given possession of shops in the new complex without the market being handed over back to the CCP or signing any lease agreements. It came to be touted as the 'Panjim market scam' and till date, the CCP continues to be maintaining the market but does not earn any revenue from rent.
Meanwhile Monserrate said, a part of the CCP headquarters will be demolished and work on the new building will also be started.
