Team Herald
MARGAO: On Thursday, hundreds of citizens had to go through the hardships due to no update of the system pertaining to the taxes, as the Margao Municipal Council is yet to decide upon the implementation of a circular relating to hike in house tax and garbage fee.
Citizens who had come to pay their taxes on Thursday morning expressed anger, as they were forced to return back without paying taxes. Later, they demanded to put the system in place and show concern towards the hardships faced by them.
However, speaking to reporters Damodar Shirodkar, Chairperson said that everything will be updated in the system by Monday pertaining to hike in house taxes and garbage fee.
The notice put up at the counter stated that acceptance of taxes will resume from April 6, however, on Thursday when citizens including senior citizens were told that the system is not yet updated and they should come again on Monday, resulting in frustration.
A long queue was also witnessed till the afternoon as citizens were hoping the Municipality would start accepting the taxes.
It is pertinent to note that council has recently resolved to increase the house tax and garbage fee as per the government circular. But, Margao citizens have strongly opposed the move and demanded to bring all the un-assessed premises under the tax bracket before implementing the new rates.
Expressing anger, one of the senior citizens at the counter at Municipality told reporters that they are forced to face hardships due to no fault of theirs.
“I had come to pay my taxes but was shocked to know that the system is yet to be updated with regard to the hike in the taxes. This is my second trip as I have to return back without paying taxes”, he stated.
He said that it was the duty of the council to put up new notices at the counter so that people could return back home instead of waiting in a queue for several hours.
“This is a waste of time and energy. I demand the government to intervene in the matter and see to it that people get relief from such an unorganized system in the Margao Municipality”, said another citizen.
However, the Chairperson said that there is some technical fault, besides council is yet to update the system pertaining to the hike in taxes.
“Council has not yet finalized to implement the new rates as per the government circular. The decision will be taken in these two days of time and everything will be put in place”, he defended.
