MAPUSA
Villagers of Saligao on Sunday strongly opposed the panchayat’s proposal to increase house tax by 30 percent and instead urged that commercial properties be charged at higher rates.
The issue sparked a lively debate during the gram sabha after the panchayat proposed revising the house tax, arguing that it had not been raised for the past three years. As per government norms, house tax is expected to be revised every three years by around 10 percent, but the panchayat’s proposal to hike it by 30 percent met with stiff resistance from residents.
Several villagers suggested that instead of burdening homeowners, the panchayat should identify and levy higher charges on houses and premises being used for commercial purposes. Ward members were requested to prepare a list of such properties for review.
The panchayat, however, received appreciation from the villagers for its firm stand against the proposed buffer zone around the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) plant at Saligao. Residents welcomed the panchayat’s earlier resolution opposing the garbage plant’s bid to acquire additional comunidade land under the pretext of creating a buffer zone.
Sarpanch Lucas Remedios informed the gathering that the Chief Minister had assured him there would be no expansion of the existing garbage plant. Local resident Liberata Madeira, however, sought to know whether this assurance had been given in writing. When the sarpanch replied in the negative, she urged that the panchayat secure written confirmation from the Chief Minister.
Former comunidade president Desmond D’Costa called for a united stand against the buffer zone proposal. “The comunidade must pass a resolution stating that no additional land will be allowed to be acquired for the GWMC,” he said.
The gram sabha also took note of issues related to public transport in the village. A member commended local MLA Kedar Naik for improving transport facilities, but Madeira countered that residents of Arrarim had been deprived of public bus services for nearly a year. She said that despite repeated complaints, the issue remained unresolved.
“Only one Kadamba bus currently plies between Panaji and Calangute through Arrarim,” she pointed out. “If a government bus can use that route, why not private ones?”
During the discussion, Sarpanch Remedios remarked, “Bhiv pachi garaz na” (no need to fear), to which Madeira retorted, “Now in Goa, everywhere there seems to be ‘Bhiv pachi garaz assa’ (there is need to fear).”
The meeting ended with the panchayat agreeing to reconsider the house tax proposal and write to the Chief Minister for clarity on both the garbage plant expansion and the buffer zone issue.
