MARGAO
The gram Sabha of Dramapur-Sirlim village panchayat on Sunday opposed the Director of Panchayat circular for recovery of one per cent labour cess on houses constructed since 2009.
The gram sabha meeting chaired by acting Sarpanch Olastic Rodrigues also debated over the Goa Public Lighting Duty Act and the Amendment to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act on Assessment of Tax on unauthorized structures.
After the meeting, gram sabha member Dominic Noronha told the media that the panchayat had already taken a decision on the circular issued by the Director of Panchayats to recover the one per cent labour cess on constructions that have come up in the village since 2009.
During the discussion on the controversial issue, Noronha said local residents were clear that the auditors and other authorities had failed to collect the labour cess all these years and that the government should not punish the people for their lapses.
“The labour cess being notified through the panchayat for recovery is against the Panchayat Construction Licence and Occupancy issued. There is no amendment in the Panchayat Raj Act for the Panchayat to act as a recovery agent to collect funds by sending notices to the licence holders, who had been issued construction license after the year 2009. The Panchayat Secretary should strictly follow the law as per section 47(i)(ii) and(i) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act 1994 and Rules,” he demanded.
On the Goa Public Lighting Duty Act, 2021, he said the move will further burden the consumers to foot the streetlight bills and demanded to know why the government cannot shoulder the responsibility of maintenance of street lighting.
On the question of assessment amendment of tax on unauthorized structure u/s 153(1A)of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, Noronha pointed out that the amendment is a clear attempt to bring in the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill.
