TEAM HERALD
CURCHOREM: Don’t be surprised if you find banks in Curchorem suddenly relocating to other office spaces in the town.
In a strong move, the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) has decided to withdraw occupancy certificates and seal the commercial premises of major banks and financial institutions in its jurisdiction.
Speaking to Herald, CCMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said as per Municipality Act and Goa, Daman and Diu Municipalities (Consolidated Property Tax) Rule 1971, municipalities are empowered to collect the property tax of one month rent after deducting 1% from the owner of the premises.
“Despite serving notices to 45 owners, some even dated October 2012, not a single person has paid till date and hence, the council issued letters to some nationalized and other well-known banks threatening of stern action,” informed Fernandes.
It is learnt that the central auditors had reprimanded CCMC in their report for non-collection of tax. CAG also asked the compliance report, failing which the CCMC chief officer would be held responsible. CCMC also sent a notice to the owner of a building near Curchorem police station which houses three financial institutions for not paying trade tax and property tax.
“The owner has failed to pay trade and property tax and has not cleared arrears of his old premises and he has given the premises to house one more branch of a nationalized bank,” informed Fernandes.
He said the council will not allow the bank to inaugurate the branch, which is slated for July 28, until the owner clears all his dues and shows proper parking area, as the provided parking area is already congested.
