MARGAO:
While the Chairperson and Chief Officer have all along maintained that the collection of sanitation fees has been on hold, the Loyal Tax Payers of Margao have strongly disputed the claim. In fact, armed with RTI information, the tax payers claimed that sanitation fees continues to be collected by the Municipality despite the assurances handed out by both the Chairperson and the Chief Officer.
“RTI information sought from the Council goes on to confirm that this Council is nothing but a big pack of lies. On one hand, the Council claims that sanitation fees as per new rates are not collected, but the RTI information tells a different story,” lamented C P Jaggi, President of South Goa Hotel Owners Association.
The Loyal Tax Payers charged that the Council is taking them for granted by playing a game of hide-and-seek. “The Chairperson Dr Babita Angle had assured to resolve the issue within a period of 15 to 20 days, and that a meeting of the stakeholders/ Council would be held for the same, but all these turned out to be promises and lies,” charged Laurel Abranches.
‘’While the CO and Chairperson orally assured us that the collection as per new rates will stop, the concerned staff refused to comply for want of directions in writing,” stated convenor of SCM, Savio Coutinho. “It would not be surprising to inform that some people close to this Council were selectively given relief,” Coutinho stated.
Coutinho said it was expected that the collection as per new rates would be kept on hold. However, confirming that this Council is not trustworthy, the collection of sanitation fees from gullible innocent people continued stealthily.
“Again the loyal tax payers through a representation submitted to the CO/CP on April 15 reminded the facts and decisions taken on April 18. Here the CO was again appraised about the collection of sanitation fees as per new rates,” Coutinho added.
