MARGAO
The Congress party has launched its door-to-door awareness campaign against the proposed hike of taxes/ fees by the Margao Municipal Council.
The Congress workers have drawn up a plan to meet the MLAs of Fatorda and Curtorim constituencies and hold meetings in all wards, and finally to hold a protest in front of the Municipal building on March 28.
Holding a banner with a caption “Jab Tak DK hai, Tab Tak Vasooli sirf taxpayers se”, the Congress workers went round the city with copies of the rate chart and explaining to the citizens the additional financial burden they are likely to face post April 1, 2025.
Party leaders and workers of Congress came down heavily on the chairperson of MMC, for lying to the Madgavkars, that the proposed hike was only 20 per cent, while in reality the hike ranges from 50 per cent to 500 per cent.
The Congress made a strong demand to withdraw and withhold the proposed hike. “There is an ongoing survey of all premises within the Municipal limits, once the survey is completed, it will be possible to work out the additional revenue that can be collected from the unassessed/ unlicensed premises. Based on this the Council can decide whether a hike is necessary in the first place,” party leaders suggested.
“The chairperson is on record having stated that through a survey conducted, it is realised that in his own ward 40 per cent premises have no trade licences and are operating illegally. This itself is a good reason to hold on with the hike till all such premises are brought under the tax net, added another leader.
