PANAJI
Outstanding dues owed to various departments of the Goa government have mounted to Rs 2,384.26 crore, according to official figures despite multiple measures being initiated to recover the pending amounts from defaulters across sectors.
The Commercial Taxes Department accounts for the largest share of arrears, with Rs 875 crore yet to be recovered from 7,029 defaulters.
These dues include unpaid VAT, Central Sales Tax (CST) and Green Cess.
The Electricity Department is owed nearly Rs 435 crore by around two lakh consumers across various categories. To recover the amount, the department has been issuing notices and disconnecting electricity connections, either temporarily or permanently, in cases of persistent default.
The Transport Department is awaiting recovery of Rs 378 crore from 361 defaulters. Show-cause notices have been issued to the defaulters, while several cases are currently pending before the courts.
The Home Department has outstanding dues of Rs 230 crore, including accrued interest. The list of defaulters includes casino operators and hotel companies. Authorities have issued show-cause notices, while some matters are also under litigation.
The Mines Department has pending recoveries of Rs 237 crore and has already initiated the process by issuing notices to defaulters.
The Public Works Department's Water Supply Division is owed approximately Rs 190 crore by nearly 60,000 consumers. Water connections of several defaulters have been disconnected and legal proceedings have been launched. The department has also introduced a One-Time Settlement Scheme to facilitate recovery.
The Captain of Ports Department has arrears of Rs 3.26 crore, with recovery proceedings currently underway. The Lottery Department is yet to recover Rs 9 crore.
Meanwhile, the Excise Department has outstanding dues of Rs 7 crore. Notices have been served on defaulters, and authorities have warned that liquor licences not renewed within the stipulated period will be cancelled, followed by further legal action. Show-cause notices have also been issued to manufacturing companies.
The figures paint a sorry picture of lethargy of bureaucrats in recovering outstanding payments despite sweeping powers bestowed on them by provisions in the law.
