the goan I network
MARGAO
Continuing its raids on high-profile business establishments, banks and financial establishments, the Margao Municipal Council on Wednesday sealed three establishments, including a major electronic goods showroom and a stationary shop at the Osia Commercial Complex.
A major nationalised bank, which is located in the same complex, has also come under the scanner of the MMC as officials have told the bank officials to produce the documents pertaining to the payment of house tax and rent to the civic body.
A team of officials headed by Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik descended once again at the Osia Commercial Complex and sealed the electronic goods showroom and a stationary shop after they were found not paying the house tax based on the lease agreement.
Officials informed that the stationary shop was being run by an outside party even though the license continues to be in the name of the original owner. “We have found out that during the drive that while most of the premises have been rented on leave and license agreement, neither the owners nor the occupiers of the premises are paying the house tax as per the lease agreement,” municipal officials said.
A senior MMC official said that the civic body is not interested in the payment of the trade tax when the owners are required by law to pay the house tax of the premises as per the lease agreement.
Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik warned the business establishments, especially those operating on lease agreement, to pay the house tax amount as mentioned in the lease agreement. “I want to reiterate here that the municipality does not get sadistic pleasure by sealing the business premises. At the same time the civic body also expects the commercial establishments to carry out the business activity as per the law,” the Chief Officer warned.
Incidentally, it has come to light during the ongoing exercise that majority of the business establishments operating in the rented premises and run by outside businessmen have neither obtained the mandatory trade license nor have paid the house tax as per the lease agreement. In many cases, the owners have been paying the house tax based on the lease agreements executed more than a decade ago, causing huge loss for the civic body in terms of house tax revenue.
A senior civic official reiterated that the Margao municipality need not even approach the government for development funds if the revenue due to the civic body keeps flowing into the coffers from the business premises.
