Team Herald
MARGAO: The much promised meeting between the Margao Municipal Council and the stakeholders to discuss the sanitary tax which was scheduled today was suddenly postponed without ascribing any reason forcing the Shadow Council for Margao convenor Savio Coutinho to accuse the chairperson of only telling lies to the people of Margao.
It may be recalled that MMC Chairperson Dr Babita Prabudessai had promised agitated citizens that she would convene a meeting of the stakeholders to discuss the issue of sanitary tax which she said needed to be reviewed.
Till the time the sanitary tax was not reviewed, she said people could pay the trade and signboard tax and the sanitary tax could be paid later on or in case if people had already paid, the excess amount would be adjusted next year.
However, as the staff accepting the payment was demanding that people pay the sanitary fee, concerned citizens gheraoed the Chief Officer Y B Tavde on April 25 and he also assured that things would be put in place.
But as the situation had not changed, on May 2 the citizens gheraoed the Officer on Special Duty to the Chairperson who were promised that the meeting would be held on May 5 at 3.30 pm. However, no meeting was held today and according to Savio they were not even informed that the meeting was postponed.
“This just proves that the council is not bothered about the people and is just feeding us nothing but lies all the time and seeking time to tire us out,” he said adding that the people will not rest till the exorbitant sanitary tax is reviewed.
The Chairperson was not available for her comments and the Officer on Special Duty claimed to have no knowledge when the meeting will be held next.
