Team Herald
PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Tuesday has formed a special committee headed by Deputy Commissioner in a bid to recover house tax from defaulters.
Speaking to Herald, CCP Commissioner Dipak Desai said, “We have formed a special committee headed by Deputy Commissioner Dr Geeta Nagvekar in a bid to recover house tax from defaulters. After going through the records of the taxation of the CCP, it was noted that citizens are not paying tax regularly for one or other reason when huge amount of dues are pending for collection and we at CCP have also take active steps by issuing notices to defaulters.”
“These dues are not only pending from citizens but also from State government and Central government departments. As dues increase day by day, the CCP is planning to take drive for collection of dues however, there is confusion regarding what action should be taken against the defaulters for nonpayment of tax and other dues,” Desai said. He further said in such circumstances, legal advice is sought with regards to the steps and actions to be taken against the defaulters for speedy recovery of the dues to improve the financial position of the corporation.
“The steps and action to be taken may be specified as per the City Corporation Act, 2002. Advocate Gopal Naik, legal officer, will also be a part of the team and this team shall report to the commissioner at 5.30 pm on daily basis,” he added
Similarly, the CCP under the directions issued by the High Court has also constituted an Enforcement Squad under the control of Deputy Commissioner to carry out work of clearing the footpaths within the city limits from all encroachments including unauthorised hawkers.
“Even scooter repairers and other persons who may be illegally using footpaths will be removed by the squad and further the squad will also ensure that no person does open urinating, defacing, sleeping, cooking or any act resembling nuisance in the public places such as gardens or beaches,” he added.
He warned that any goods that may be used by such persons on footpaths shall also be seized with the assistance of the police.
