MARGAO
Despite stiff opposition from Loutolim villagers to the in-principle approval granted to the project by the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB), the Goa government has declared an area under the jurisdiction of Loutolim as an Investment Promotion Area.
Rejecting the objections submitted by the public to the Board as insufficient and invalid, the government has cleared the project of M/s Venture Building Dreams Private Limited to construct a Cricket Academy and Allied Sports Arena on leased land.
While declaring the entire area specified in the Schedule as an Investment Promotion Area, the government has appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Board to assess and recover house tax, other taxes, fees and all other dues imposed under applicable laws.
Significantly, the government has stated that provisions of any State law relating to local authorities governing building control, construction permissions, and the levy and collection of taxes, fees and other dues in the said area shall cease to apply.
The order further stated that the Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council or Village Panchayat that had been collecting house tax, other taxes or fees from occupants in the area under their respective laws would be compensated by the government to the extent of the previous financial year’s collection for a period of five years.
The notification also authorises the Chief Executive Officer of the Board to exercise powers relating to the levy and collection of taxes, fees and other dues applicable to local authorities in the area. The revenue collected will be deposited with the government under the relevant Budget Head.
After granting in-principle approval to the project, the Goa IPB had recommended that the government declare the area as an Investment Promotion Area.
