MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council’s carrot and stick policy against the defaulters has begun to pay rich dividends with the civic body recovering a whopping Rs 65.73 lakh arrears from the tax defaulters on a single day on Wednesday.
Today’s recovery implies that the civic body can look forward to receive their October salary on time ie the last day of the month ahead of the Diwali festival.
While making a fervent plea to the households and business establishments to voluntarily clear their tax dues, Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has warned the traders not to force the civic body to seal the premises for non-payment of tax.
Even as the MMC launched a mega tax recovery drive on Wednesday to target the tax defaulters who have not paid the taxes, both house tax and trade licenses for over a year now, the owners made a beeline to the municipality to clear the dues. At the end of the day, the civic body recovered around Rs 65.73 lakhs from the tax defaulters, further enriching the Municipal coffers. The total revenue recovered by the Civic body so far this month stands at Rs 1.56 crore.
MMC Chairperson Lyndon Pereira has appreciated the work put up by the municipal officials and employees, including the Chief Officer for recovering the huge outstanding revenue. He also urged the tax defaulters to clear their dues before the civic body takes stringent action against them.
Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has thanked the citizens for all the cooperation extended to him and the council while ensuring the tax collection drive is proving to be a huge success. He requested the public to use the cash, cheque, DD or online repayment methods as per their convenience.
The MMC online payment portal can be accessed on https://goaulbservice.gov.in
The Chief officer said he would have a zero-tolerance approach and will lock down such establishments as it's against the constitution of the MMC to do business without a trade licence.
The CO has also once again sent a subtle reminder to those who are operating business within the municipal boundaries without proper trade licences. “Post October 30, the MMC will resort to more stringent methods like even sealing the premises of those who have been notified to clear the outstanding arrears, but are still adamant”, he added.
The CO has also thanked his staff who despite the severe heat left the confines of their desks and went to the field to ensure the tax defaulters were coaxed in a highly ethical and polite manner to repay their outstanding dues. “I wish to have a good Diwali in Margao with the municipal council with the help of the citizens and business community helping to achieve zero percent outstanding tax”, he added.
