Recover outstanding
dues instead of tax hike
It is learnt that since implementing the revised tax structure from April 1, Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has reportedly collected trade tax and other fees averaging Rs 12 lakh per day. A group of concerned citizens and taxpayers from Margao are opposing the steep hike in taxes and fees.
Margao is considered as the commercial capital of Goa and there are numerous traders and commercial establishments in the city. Though the civic body has claimed that the hike is limited to just 20%, there are allegations that an increase of 60% is being implemented. This steep hike seems unwarranted and will affect the business community in a big way.
There has been a demand that the civic body should first focus on recovering outstanding dues and completing the survey of unasessed properties before imposing any tax hike. A warning has also been sounded that if the hike was not rolled back, the people would express their discontent in the upcoming municipal and assembly elections.
It is learnt that the MMC has reportedly not raised the taxes for the past decade. A gradual hike in the taxes over the years should have been implemented instead of a sudden steep hike. Now even some councilors have opposed the hike as they maintained that their support was only for an increase of 20% and not 60% which is being implemented. There is apprehension that citizens would resort to a civil disobedience movement by refusing to pay municipal taxes if there is no roll back.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
No one is happy with
schools reopening
The most unthinkable has happened as schools have reopened in April, when all, particularly children, are in joyful mood. In the sweltering summer heat, drinking water scarcity and other infrastructural non available facilities, everyone connected with school activities, be they teachers or school staff, are put to great inconvenience.
More so are school children whose mind is on playing or other enjoyable activities. As one boy rightly put it, in his media interview comment: chod gormi re, tras beste, ani amchea parentank. (unbearable heat, inconvenient and more so for our parents, unnecessarily)
But the Directorate of Education has forced the reopening of schools much against the wishes of everyone for reasons best to itself. Rightly so, when no one is against the NEP, the reopening of schools should have been affected at a convenient season, June, most pleasant after summer hiccups to maintain the old decor of new school activities so enjoyable for everyone.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
Pushback against
Trump policies
This refers to the editorial “Hands Off! is a bold stand against Trump’s vision for America” (April 8). The protests that have erupted across the US against President Donald Trump’s policies – and not just the tariffs – seem to suggest that he has lost his popularity which enabled him to win the presidential election for a second term. Emboldened by his convincing election victory, including the popular vote, Trump decided to take matters into his hands, riding roughshod over stated government policy and imposing sweeping spending cuts egged on by his key collaborator, Elon Musk, who at present also facing protestors ire.
Though Trump’s core constituency of supporters is still intact, some of his moves are creating unease among the American public. Stiff tariffs, even on countries considered to be allies, are leading to reciprocal moves that will burden the American consumer resulting in inflation.
What Trump has accomplished is that he has raised a storm in the global markets, which could settle faster than expected. Trump is only too willing to bargain with other countries, and get some benefits for Americans buying global goods and services. However, his emotive target of ‘Making America Great Again’ is in doubt at the moment.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Waqf Bill sparks debate
Waqf is a charitable or religious donation, mostly in the form of property, made by Muslims. Most of these donations are made without valid documentation. The proceeds from such donations are used to maintain mosques, graveyards and fund madrasas and orphanages. Once a property is designated as Waqf, it cannot be transferred or sold. Recent Waqf bill has sparked controversy due to a host of proposed changes to ensure more accountability and transparency in their functioning and mandatory inclusion of women in these bodies. The bill also makes it mandatory to include non-Muslims as its members. Many believe that these reforms will enhance governance, curb encroachments and prevent misuse of Waqf properties. By introducing central oversight and empowering collectors, the government aims to make Waqf management more accountable. While a section of Muslims welcomed the amendments saying they will end the dictatorial functioning of state Waqf boards and misuse of thier properties. The Waqf Board is the third largest landowner in India, after the Indian Railways and the armed forces. A case from Tamil Nadu villagers, how an 1800-year-old, ancient temple were caught in a land dispute due to Waqf Board records. And people saying when did the land become someone else’s when they have been living there for generations. The instance where Waqf committee in its application claimed that the ownership of two islands on Bet Dwarka island belongs to them. Bet Dwarka or Beyt Dwarka was the residence of Shri Krishna during the time he ruled Gujarat and a holy pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Some Muslim groups agree that corruption is a serious issue in Waqf boards. The bill would improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in the country,
K GVilop, Chorao