PONDA
Illegally constructed houses in Ponda will now be given house numbers, with the Ponda Municipal Council resolving to impose house tax and sanitation charges to these structures to generate revenue.
The meeting presided by PMC Chairperson Dr Radhika Nayak discussed the illegal houses and the loss of PMC revenue due to non-imposition of taxes.
"Illegal houses constructed prior to January 2014 will be assessed for taxes,” said Dr Nayak.
The resolution was passed unanimously after Dr Nayak brought to the notice of the councillors that PMC was losing revenue by way of taxes.
Most of the councillors criticised Ponda MLA Lavu Mamledar over the issue of Sewerage Treatment Plant. Apart from the four councillors close to Mamledar, the other councillors accused Mamledar of maligning the PMC over the STP project.
"We never said that we do not want the STP in Ponda, but the MLA has misguided people saying that we have obstructed the project,” one councillor said.
The PMC has now decided to suggest two fields between Panditwada and Warkhande for the STP, after Nayak informed that two earlier sites had been opposed by the locals.
"We want the STP project, but no one is disclosing the information about it. We should be informed first,” said Nayak.
Later when contacted, PMC Councillor Venkatesh Naik clarified that many illegally constructed houses do not have house numbers, even though they are constructed on their own land.
“Hence, PMC will allot them a house number but with a prefix “ill” to designate the structure as an illegally constructed house. The allotment of house numbers will not imply that the house is legal,” Naik added.
