MARGAO
With huge tax arrears running into crores of rupees staring at the civic body, Margao City Fathers on Thursday demanded a road map from the civic administration on the recovery of the tax arrears, with Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai asserting that the council would hold the taxation section accountable for the loss of revenue.
The City Fathers also picked holes in the surplus budget prepared by the Municipal Administration, saying that the proposals contained in the budget estimates for the financial year 2017-18 are unrealistic and difficult to achieve.
After much discussions, the Council finally gave its approval for a surplus budget of Rs 5.89crore. While the revenue receipts were pegged at Rs 86.93 crore, the expenditure were put at Rs 81.04 crore.
Intervening in the debate set in motion by Councilor Rupesh Mahatme, Chairperson Prabhudesai said it is indeed a matter of concern that the outstanding tax arrears have reached alarming proportions, adding that it’s now time to take a close call on the outstanding tax recoveries.
While asserting that the taxation section will be held responsible for the tax arrears, the Chairperson asked Chief Officer Y B Tawde to unveil a road map how the administration intends to recover the outstanding taxes.
As the City Fathers were unanimous that the budget presented before the Council was unrealistic, it was decided that the administration prepare the budget estimates a month in advance next year to given opportunity for the elected representatives to give their inputs.
The meeting adopted a host of decisions to mop up resources, including the decision to tone up revenue on the trade license head, levying garbage tax on illegal houses by issuing numbers, streamlining transfer of sopo structures etc.
The Council also adopted a resolution passed by the Standing Committee, extending the validity of the Construction license to three years against the currently practice of one year.
The meeting also addressed the issue of the use of burial grounds of one community for others, with the Council adopting a resolution revoking its earlier order on that count.
The Chairperson told the members that the Council can expect to earn a few lakhs more from the city petrol pumps operating from the Municipal property. She said the Council will renew the lease agreements with the petrol pumps after reviewing the rent.
