VASCO: Chicolna-Bogmalo Village Panchayat is taking positive steps to become self-sufficient and has become the first panchayat in the State to raise various commercial taxes only after taking into confidence the villagers and passing a resolution in the gram sabha.
Despite of having various commercial establishments in its jurisdiction, the panchayat had not collected taxes from them. Meanwhile, it has decided not to increase the house tax rates.
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According to Sarpanch Sankalp Mahale, who is one of the youngest to hold the chair, the panchayat had decided to raise commercial tax three years ago. But the decision was kept on hold citing the pandemic. Now, the villagers were taken into confidence while taking important decision like tax hike. However, the panchayat continues to charge Rs 8 per square metres as house tax. Mahale is confident that the panchayat will be financially stable as the decision to implement tax hike has been approved.
Meanwhile, the panchayat is planning to build a ground for the youth and has entered into an agreement with FC Goa for developing a ground.
