VASCO
Steps to revive the financial position of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) were among the many issues discussed at the first extraordinary council meeting of the council (MMC) on Friday.
The councillors discussed suggestions like resumption of octroi, revision of house tax and also a recovery drive to collect huge dues.
"We will study and take necessary steps to revive the financial position and we will also start a recovery drive. We will also convene a meeting with oil tanking companies, MPT, Goa Marketing Federation and other organisations to see how we can recover our dues," said MMC Chairperson Damodar Kaskar, while speaking to reporters after the meeting.
Former MMC chairperson Deepak Naik said councillors offered suggestions to improve the financial position of MMC.
“We have been struggling ever since octroi was removed in 2014 and we have suggested that we resume octroi which will help us pay salaries. We have resolved to revise the house tax with effect from March 2021 to increase our revenue.”
“Many in the jurisdiction operate business without valid license and we will start a drive to fine people without license and also appeal people to apply for license so that their business becomes valid and we generate revenue," said Naik.
MMC Councillor Fredrick Henriques said after the previous council was dissolved, the municipal council under the administrator had decided to increase house tax based on a 2014 resolution, with effect from November 2020.
"When people received the house tax amount in April, they had to pay arrears from November 1 to March 31 and also interest. If we had to increase the house tax, it should have been from April 1 and not November 1.”
“I have moved a proposal that the arrears may be shown as credit for the people who have already paid the house tax and for those who have not paid, the amount can be waived off, " said Henriques.
Councillor Yatin Kamurlekar raised the issue of Shantinagar area marked as parking area for Dabolim Airport without taking people in confidence.
"I have requested the MMC chairperson and chief officer to raise an objection on this issue as Shantinagar is a densely populated area, with people living for over 50 years, and MMC has a People for Animals shed also there.”
“This is totally wrong and we have also informed our MLA Carlos Almeida about this. We want to assure aggrieved residents that we will resolve the issue," said Kamurlekar.
