the goan I network
MARGAO
Facing flak over its discontinuation of accepting cheque payments, the Margao Municipal Council has tied up with Yes Bank to provide the latest mobile smart (Point of Sale) POS machines to facilitate citizens to clear their tax payments.
Two such devises were bought by the civic body on Friday after complaints from citizens against the Municipality’s discontinuance of cheque payments reached the doorsteps of the
Director of Municipal Administration.
Citizens led by retired banker Jose Marie Miranda had been vocal against the MMC’s decision to discontinue with the cheque payments and forcing the citizens to clear the tax payments via Demand Drafts, pointing out that insisting on DD payment mode has only pushed the citizens to stand in queues to get the Demand Draft.
After much discussions and exploring various options, the Director of Municipal Administration has finally suggested that the civic body install POS machines to ease hardships faced by citizens, a suggestion which also found favour with Miranda. “I have no issue with the installation of POS machines. Our grievances with the civic body was the discontinuation of the cheque payment facility without making alternate provision,” Miranda added.
Defending the decision to discontinue cheque payments, Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik pointed out that at least two cheques used
to bounce every week, leaving the civic body to run after the defaulters to get the money.
To tide over the situation, more so when citizens had expressed reservations over the DD payment mode, the Chief Officer said that Yes Bank’s latest mobile smart POS machines is an answer to the tax payments.
“The Yes Bank’s POS machine has an advanced feature which will meet the requirements of the all sections. Citizens need no longer carry cash, but make the payment by swiping their cards in these machines,” he added.
Yes Bank’s government relationship manager, Abhishek Pai Khot said the bank has installed two such machines in the MMC for the benefit of the tax payers, saying the bank will install additional machines if the need arises.
