THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Hazard a guess on the status of Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) plans to conduct a comprehensive Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping of all properties in the commercial capital.
For, the GIS mapping was supposed to facilitate the Margao Municipal body to ascertain the exact number of houses and commercial establishments in the city, paying taxes and license fees.
This question has assumed significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar on Tuesday unveiled plans by the MMC administration deputy teams of Municipal market inspectors across the city for the recovery of outstanding revenue recoveries by way of house tax, trade license and advertisement fees.
Addressing the media, the Civic Chief said it has been decided by the body to depute the Municipal market inspectors in the market to identify and report all the tax defaulters to the Accounts and Taxation officer, Recovery Officer besides the Chief Officer to initiate further action.
This has thrown up the question whether the GSUDA appointed consultant had not yet conducted the GIS mapping in the city till date, forcing the Civic body to depute its team of market inspectors to identify the erring households and business establishments.
“Each of the market inspectors have been issued clear directions to complete at least 10 houses and establishments every day and file a status report whether they possess the trade license, the payment of advertisement fees and house tax. Once the Market inspectors compile the report and submit the same to the higher official, appropriate action as per the laws and rules in force will be initiated against the tax defaulters”, Damu warned.
The Margao Civic Chief said the Municipality is not on a spree to punish and penalise the erring establishments operating sans the mandatory trade license or house tax, but will facilitate the establishments to apply for the license to operate the business legally. “There may be establishments which face genuine issues in obtaining the trade license. We will help such establishments to obtain the trade license. This will also help the Civic body to boost revenue”, Damu said.
