Among the eleven Municipalities existing prior to Goa’s annexation, the Camara Municipal de Salcete was generally headed by men of high intellectual and moral caliber. It goes to the credit of the Portuguese that they never compromised on the moral character and integrity of the people appointed to such positions, despite many of them being known for their liberal ideologies. This was particularly true of Camara de Salcete because the headquarters, Margao, was considered the commercial and intellectual capital of the State and the seat of opposition to the political establishment.
Unfortunately, the decadence of Margao started ironically with the so-called popular rule, with Municipalities playing a very small role in the planning and administration of the city. The population increased by leaps and bounds, slums mushroomed all over the city, patronised and supported by elected representatives, filth and garbage is seen in most prominent areas of the city, traffic jams are the order of the day, road indiscipline reigns supreme with traffic police busy only in challaning minor violations and ignoring major ones and parking being a nightmare, with no signs of any let up. And, except for fairly good roads, Margao is only deteriorating by the day. And, let me put it, very frankly and bluntly, the fault does not lie with the authorities alone. To a great extent we, citizens, not only contribute to the mess, displaying little or no civic sense, but also do very little to have the situation rectified by having a pressure group determined to ensure success and make Margao a better place to live in.
One of my regular complaints about the MMC is that it has ceased to act as the Administrator of the city. It has left planning to the SGPDA, which ought to have been only the technical authority and the Traffic to the Police, whose role I leave it to Madganvkars to judge from the chaotic traffic they witness everyday. This leaves MMC practically as the cleaning agent of the city with other minor duties to perform, like issuance of occupancy certificates, Trade licences, etc.
The MMC is presently involved in a very controversial decision to levy sanitation fees alongwith annual House Tax and Trade Licence fees. This decision would, appear to be fair, if not for a sizeable number of houses and running establishments not being under the ambit of these taxes, though existing or operating for several years. Consequently, while law abiding citizens are being further burdened with sanitation fees, others would eventually escape both taxes and fees. In effect, garbage is today collected free from unlicenced traders and not assessed houses, whereas some assessed houses and hundreds of Trade Licence holders are deprived of this service. Yet, fees are collected retrospectively from April 2016.
RTI information reveals that Ranghavi Bldg, next to MMC, has 238 shops of which only 21 have Trade Licences while Osia Complex has 1983 shops with only 63 having TL. Even if one considers that 30% of these shops are closed, there are still hundreds that are operating without TL. Conservative estimates put houses not yet assessed in Margao at over 15000 and 60% of running establishments without Trade Licence. Further, Government quarters are also not assessed for HT and hence do not pay sanitation fees. The contention of the citizens is that, had all these come under purview of taxes, the income of MMC would have increased tremendously and the burden on residents reduced substantially.
When door-to-door garbage collection started, self-help groups were involved and monthly fees were being paid to the garbage collector. This ensured that only those who generate garbage would pay, including non-assessed apartments and establishments, whereas those closed would not. The collection then was done more assiduously as it was in the interest of the collectors to do so. They were also questioned by house/shop owners about their absence, etc. This would promote self-employment and garbage collectors would earn additional income by sale of bottles, cardboard, etc. This system was discarded perhaps due to some flaws but the present one enforced to bring additional revenue to MMC is perhaps even more unsatisfactory.
Incidentally, it is not easy to have apartments assessed or TL obtained. It took me three months to have a flat assessed which had been inadvertently omitted by MMC itself. Obtaining a TL also entails NOCs from Fire & Health Depts. The harassment one has to undergo at every level, at times to extort under the table, deters genuine people from obtaining TL, with ultimately the Municipality losing revenue.
The problem of non-assessment is a legacy inherited from past several Councils. In all fairness, the present Council alone cannot be blamed for it, except for adding to the burden of the citizens by levying sanitation fees. Granted that bringing tax evaders into the net is not an easy task, but a vigorous attempt must be made by invoking severe penalties and action, in case of default. Supervisors in MMC, whose job profile is not known, must be entrusted with the task of bringing traders into the fold, without any waste of time. Till such time, a nominal amount could have been levied towards sanitation, which as in case of apartments, people would pay ungrudgingly. The proposed Geo survey proposed by MMC will be a waste of money and will not be effective, if the working of staff at MMC is any indication.
MMC is a body elected by the people and hence it must act in the interest and in coordination with residents. Imposing its will, particularly when it is morally wrong, will only invite the wrath of the people and MMC will land itself in unpleasant situation, which is in the interests of everyone to avoid.
(The author is a
tired banker)
