MARGAO
In an unprecedented action unheard of in the history of the Margao Municipal Council against tax defaulters, newly-appointed Margao Municipal Chief Officer Johnson Fernandes - who has been drafted by TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai to recover the outstanding tax arrears pegged over Rs 16-odd crore - has set in motion the exercise against the defaulters, beginning with the builders and realtors.
Unlike the past, Johnson has recommended to the Power department disconnection of power supply to the offic
es of the builders and realtors, who have defaulted to pay the house tax, by revoking the NOC issued by the Council to the Electricity department.
While it is a subject of debate whether the Municipality is authorised under the Goa Municipalities Act to go for disconnection of the power supply of the tax defaulters, Chief Officer Johnson has knocked the doors of the Power department by revoking the power supply to the offices of the defaulting builders.
The names of around 17 offices of city-based builders and realtors, spread across the city have found a mention in the letter addressed to Executive Engineer, Electricity by the CO. Most of these builders owe outstanding tax arrears to the tune of Rs 20,000 and above to the civic body and have not cleared the arrears despite notices issued by the Municipality.
This is perhaps the first time that a Chief Officer has recommended disconnection of power supply of the tax defaulters, with the beginning being made with the city-based builders and realtors. "The Council is in the process of recovering its outstanding dues, be it in the nature of house tax, sanitation fees, trade tax, etc. Chapter X of the Municipalities Act provides for the mode of recovery which includes presentation of a bill & thereafter a demand notice. Inspite of having followed the requirements as stipulated in the Act, the defaulters have not paid up the dues," the Chief Officer wrote to the Executive Engineer, Power department on Friday.
Though the Goa Municipalities Act does not explicitly provide for disconnection of power supply of the tax defaulters, the Chief Officer has taken the medium of NOC provided by the civic body to the households for power connection.
"The houses, which have been provided with electricity were so provided only after an NOC was issued by the Council for release of the electricity connection to the above persons, who have not paid up the dues of the Council. The NOC issued by the Council towards release of the electricity connection is revoked and hence we request your good office to disconnect the electricity supply at the earliest," the Chief Officer stated in his letter, while soliciting the co-operation of the Power department for the quick recovery of tax dues of the Council.
While the CO's letter to the Power department contains the names of offices of the 17 builders and realtors, who are tax defaulters, sources in the civic body informed that the Municipal administration has compiled a list of high profile tax defaulters, ranging from offices to houses and apartments.
While it is a subject of debate whether the Municipality is authorised under the Goa Municipalities Act to go for disconnection of the power supply of the tax defaulters, Chief Officer Johnson has knocked the doors of the Power department by revoking the power supply to the offices of the defaulting builders.
The names of around 17 offices of city-based builders and realtors, spread across the city have found a mention in the letter addressed to Executive Engineer, Electricity by the CO. Most of these builders owe outstanding tax arrears to the tune of Rs 20,000 and above to the civic body and have not cleared the arrears despite notices issued by the Municipality.
This is perhaps the first time that a Chief Officer has recommended disconnection of power supply of the tax defaulters, with the beginning being made with the city-based builders and realtors. "The Council is in the process of recovering its outstanding dues, be it in the nature of house tax, sanitation fees, trade tax, etc. Chapter X of the Municipalities Act provides for the mode of recovery which includes presentation of a bill & thereafter a demand notice. Inspite of having followed the requirements as stipulated in the Act, the defaulters have not paid up the dues," the Chief Officer wrote to the Executive Engineer, Power department on Friday.
Though the Goa Municipalities Act does not explicitly provide for disconnection of power supply of the tax defaulters, the Chief Officer has taken the medium of NOC provided by the civic body to the households for power connection.
"The houses, which have been provided with electricity were so provided only after an NOC was issued by the Council for release of the electricity connection to the above persons, who have not paid up the dues of the Council. The NOC issued by the Council towards release of the electricity connection is revoked and hence we request your good office to disconnect the electricity supply at the earliest," the Chief Officer stated in his letter, while soliciting the co-operation of the Power department for the quick recovery of tax dues of the Council.
While the CO's letter to the Power department contains the names of offices of the 17 builders and realtors, who are tax defaulters, sources in the civic body informed that the Municipal administration has compiled a list of high profile tax defaulters, ranging from offices to houses and apartments.
