the goan I network
PONDA
After a gap of 26 years, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has finally increased commercial taxes to meet its present and future expenses.
At a special council meeting chaired by PMC Chairperson Pradip Naik and attended by Chief officer Navanath Naik and other councillors, it was also decided to increase the house tax.
PMC Chairperson said trade licence fees had not been increased since the last 26 years and hence, it was decided to increase it from Rs 381 to Rs 500.
“We were forced to increase it as our annual expenses were around Rs 8 crore, while revenue was a mere Rs 4 crore. We have no option but to depend on these fees,” he said.
He also informed that in a bid to promote trade activities, new ventures would be give provisional trade licenses instantly, to enable them start business.
“The process of a permanent trade license can be done later. We have taken this decision to give a boost to business activities in the municipality,” the chairperson said.
He said fees of occupancy in apartments had been increased by Rs 1,000. “Earlier it was Rs 1,000 and now, the fees will be Rs 2,000,” he said.
“Even NOC to water connections to residential projects will be now charged as per number of apartments. Earlier, we used to charge only Rs 1,000 for the whole project. Now, it will be Rs 1,000 for every apartment.”
“For houses, the NOC to water connections will be hike from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.”
“The house tax has been increased by Rs 1.5 per square metre, taking it to Rs 7 per sq. mtr. For house occupancy, the public will have to pay Rs 1,000, which was earlier Rs 500.”
The PMC chairperson added that the Sopo for vendors seated inside the shade would be hiked from Rs 8 to Rs 10 per sq. mtre, while the Sopo for those outside the shade would be hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 12 per sq. mtre.
“Our staff salaries touch Rs 6 crore per annum and Rs 2 crore is spent on other heads. We have been compelled to increases the taxes and fees to help the PMC with its expenses,” Naik added.
