Cite decision not as per Council resolution passed in Feb
MARGAO
Citizens and taxpayers from the commercial capital have taken the ongoing protest against the hike in Margao Municipal Council fees to the next level with commercial establishment owners submitting in writing that they refuse to pay the hiked fees as it is not as per the Council decision taken on February 27, 2025.
They also charged that Margao BJP Mandal office bearers are in dues to the Council to the tune of Rs 3 lakh.
Addressing the media, citizens and office bearers of Congress party have displayed copies of intimation letters submitted by traders about the reason for refusal to pay the fees as per new rates.
The citizens slammed the MMC Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar for deputing market inspectors to commercial premises, who threaten the establishment owners of sealing their premises if they don’t pay the licence fees as per the hiked rates. While charging that this is purely an act of extortion, they questioned why the civic body is not making similar efforts to recover nearly Rs 3 lakh outstanding dues that are payable against the premises operated by an office bearer on Margao BJP Mandal.
The protesters have compiled video clips of the MMC Chairperson clearly stating that the Council has decided to hike the fees by 10 to 15 per cent only; which fact has been further confirmed by BJP councillor Camilo Barretto and opposition councillors from Fatorda. These video clips shall be widely circulated to enable the taxpayers to answer the Municipal staff who come and threaten the establishment owners, the citizens said.
Referring to the representation submitted by Fatorda councillors to the DMA objecting to the implementation of the hike that was not as per the Council resolution, the citizens said this is good enough reason for all establishments to refrain from paying fees that are not as per the Council decision.
Lincoln Gomes stated that they have received large number of complaints from several people that their fees are hiked exorbitantly. He appealed to all those effected by the huge hike to submit their intimation of refusal to pay the hiked fees to the Council as soon as possible. He called upon them to preserve the “10 to 15 per cent hike” video clips of the MMC Chairperson and councillors and play it to the Municipal staffs who visit their premises with threats of sealing their establishments.
The citizens have warned that in case the illegal hike is not withdrawn the doors of the High Court shall be knocked to ensure that the illegal acts of the Council and its mentor are stopped immediately.
