MARGAO
In a major decision, the Cuncolim Municipal Council on Friday has rejected the circular issued by the Director of Municipal Administration proposing to effect a hike in the garbage fees for both commercial establishments and households.
As per the DMA’s circular, the new garbage fees work out to around Rs 720 as against the existing fees amounting to Rs 360 annually.
The issue came before the council meeting chaired by Chairperson Laximan Naik wherein it was decided that the hike should not be accepted in view of the ongoing pandemic and the effect it is having on the lives of the people and business establishments.
After much discussion, the Chairperson himself proposed to the council to turn down the DMA circular, suggesting a hike in the garbage fess. The resolution demanded that the garbage fees should not be revised from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022 as its now a year since Covid has affected large sections of the society, including the business community and households.
The Chairperson further pointed out that it is for the council to take a call on the model by-laws proposed by the DMA on the revision of garbage fees. “The resolution was passed unanimously since everyone was opposed to the revision of any tax, including house or garbage,” he said, adding that the council will take a call on the revision of garbage fees only in the next financial year.
The council also discussed the issue of the budget estimates which were passed by the Administrator and the Chief Officer and sent to the DMA when the elected council was not in place. “Since the government has sent the budget to the council for confirmation, it has been decided to call for a special meeting to discuss the estimates threadbare,” Naik said.
He said some of the old proposals pending in the PWD and other agencies will not be taken up by the body. “Since the new council is in place, the elected representatives will propose and take up new proposals for implementation,” he added.
The council also discussed the Cuncolim Commercial Complex project which was in the centre of a controversy after a roof portion came down during cyclone Tauktae. The Chairperson said the report of the inspection conducted by the eight ruling councillors has been forwarded to the GSUDA Member Secretary for necessary action.
