MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council has decided to act tough against business establishments, including sealing the premises, if they are found operating sans trade license or NOCs from Health, Fire Services and other mandatory permissions.
Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes on Tuesday said just as the Mapusa Municipal Council has recently through a special drive sealed business establishments operating under its jurisdiction without trade licences or NOCs from Health, Fire Services and other mandatory permissions as required, the MMC has resolved to get strict with such serious offenders.
He said during the tax repayment drive, several business establishments were issued notices with a deadline of Oct 31, 2021, to submit the necessary documentation to the civic body.
“Observing that the earlier deadline which ran through the Diwali break was not strictly adhered to, the taxation section of the municipality has been asked to draw a detailed report of such business operating without necessary documents, permissions within 10 days from November 9,” he said.
He added: “Businesses run through dubious means and not authorized by necessary MMC regulations will be treated as unlawful, illegal and against the business guidelines of the civic body and hence will be dealt with strictly following the ground report received by the taxation section after their visits to these businesses”.
Saying that the taxation section nor the MMC can monitor such illegal businesses regularly, the Chief Officer said it is mandatory for those conducting such illegal businesses to come forward and avoid any further unfortunate incident for the MMC as well as those involved in conducting unauthorised business within MMC jurisdiction.
He said the taxation section has reported a drop in tax payments and hence it might impact the MMC during the next salary round by Dec 2021, warning that the taxation section is more or less aware who are the offenders and who is owing MMC what amounts and are yet conducting business as usual.
The CO has asked the taxation section to be on its feet to tackle this menace that is bleeding the MMC coffers.
