the goan I network
MARGAO
As a pilot project, the civic body has decided to take up the survey in ward no 14 of the municipal area, considered the heart of the commercial capital, falling in Margao constituency.
The MMC Standing Committee headed by chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai told the media after a meeting of the statutory panel that the civic body has decided to rope in the agency which has already conducted a similar survey in Mapusa.
“During the recent meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Urban Development Minister, Francis D’Souza, the government told the municipal bodies to mop up revenue and recover the huge arrears. We were informed at the meeting that the Mapusa municipality has carried out a survey of commercial establishments and households to bring them under the tax net,” Babita told the media, pointing out that the Standing Committee has resolved to engage the same agency to carry out a similar survey
for Margao.
Replying to a question, Babita said though the survey in one ward will cost the civic body a whopping Rs two lakh, it is worth the effort considering the revenue it will mop up from the unassessed commercial establishments
and households.
“We expect huge revenue to come into the civic body after the completion of the survey. We have decided to conduct the survey in one ward initially given the cost factor and also because of the fact that the heart of the commercial capital plays host to most of the establishments,”
she added.
She said the Chief Minister and the Urban Development Minister has been categorical in saying that no service comes free, adding that the citizens have to pay for the service rendered by the
civic body.
Meanwhile, the chairperson has also clarified that though the Margao Municipality has received grants to the tune of Rs 14.42 crore, the civic body will spend the amount on the solid waste management plant and the land fill site as and when work on these projects stands completed.
