PANJIM: The GIS-based survey of urban local properties, has revealed that in Valpoi and Bicholim municipal councils, it has exceed the registered property count, thereby bringing all the properties for revenue collection for the councils.
The property count as per Valpoi municipal council/NIC database was 2,940 while, after property count by M/s Kolbro Group Pvt Ltd, it increased to 4,735 properties. Similarly in Bicholim municipal council, the property count as per council/NIC database was 5,956 and has now touched to 8,454 after property count by M/s Kolbro Group Pvt Ltd.
In Mapusa municipal council, the property count by M/s Kolbro Group Pvt Ltd is 28,846 while it was 23,392 as per the property count by the Mapusa municipal council/NIC database. Also in Pernem municipal council, the existing property count was 1,770 while, it increased to 1,794 after property count by M/s Kolbro Group Pvt Ltd.
Currently, property count is on in the jurisdiction of CCP by M/s Kolbro Group Pvt Ltd.
The Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) has appointed M/s Kolbro Group Private Limited to undertake GIS survey of properties/structures existing within the jurisdiction of all 13 municipal councils and the lone Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), with the objective of identifying property owners, who have not been paying their house taxes. All dwelling units, both authorised and unauthorised, will be brought under the tax and service ambit, thereby preventing revenue leakages to the local bodies.
So far the GIS survey has been completed in Valpoi and Bicholim municipal councils while, it is nearing completion in Pernem and Mapusa municipal councils and is underway in the CCP limits, Later, GIS survey will be started in remaining municipal councils.
GSUDA chief project officer Vijaykumar Honawad says “ Property tax is one of the major sources of revenue for urban local bodies. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has mandated the implementation of a set of reforms which will form the basis of claiming grants. One of the reforms is the implementation of a GIS-based survey of physical properties coming under the jurisdiction of urban local bodies”.
The survey will ensure that all dwelling units, both authorised and unauthorised, are brought under the tax and service ambit, thereby preventing revenue leakages to a local body. In addition, the raising of tax demand and collection can be effectively managed and encroachments of properties can be checked since floor plans/house images are digitally maintained. The properties will be reflected in a map layer in a GIS-based Web application.
The properties surveyed for Valpoi, Bicholim and Mapusa has exceeded the registered property count, thereby resulting in a potential rise in revenue for these councils. Besides the property data, other pieces of information is also captured which will be integrated as map layers in One Goa Map and PM Ghati Shakti platforms. This will enable the department to make informed decisions for managing projects in the State.
