Audit report finds fault in Benaulim VP tax recovery
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MAY 2
Saying that the working of the Benaulim Panchayat is in very bad shape, the Audit report for the year 2008-09 has said it is high time for the Panchayat to initiate some drastic action against the non-payment of taxes by invoking the provisions of the Panchayat Raj Act.
The audit report found the arrears of various taxes ascending every years and maintained that the Panchayat have not taken any effective steps in the collection of huge arrears of revenue.
The report has further found huge variation in the budget estimates and the actual income and expenditure. In fact, the audit pointed out that the budget estimate for the year 2008-09 is defective as the figures adopted for framing the budget estimates are fictitious. The main reason attributable for such an unrealistic budget figure is non framing of annual action plan by the Panchayat body. “These fluctuations in the budget estimate can be avoided by framing the Annual Action Plan for a particular years”, the audit said.
The audit has suggested to the Panchayat to invest more funds in fixed deposits without any further delay, saying the Panchayat have lost around Rs three lakh by keeping huge amount of Rs 34.86 lakh for one year in the Saving account.
The audit observed huge arrears of rent in respect of the veterinary sub centre. The audit has sought clarification from the panchayat as to how the government arrears have accumulated so much.
The report further observed that the market auction for the year 2008-09 was not arranged for reasons unknown thus incurring a loss of revenue of Rs 1.60 lakh. The audit has asked the panchayat to justify the reasons for not auctioning the market fees for the year 2008-09.
On illegal constructions, the audit report said there are altogether 86 illegal constructions in the jurisdiction of Benaulim panchayat as per the illegal construction register. The report said the panchayat have not taken any action in this regard to settle these long pending cases and have asked for the progress in this regard.
Further, the report said the Panchayat has spent about Rs 1.65 lakhs towards Advocates fees, but no suit register has been maintained by the body. The report said details of expenditure incurred has not been maintained and that the attendance of advocate in the court and the bills paid to him has not been certified by any responsible official or Panchayat secretary nor the Sarpanch.
