MARGAO: Various topics were discussed at the Loutolim gram sabha on Sunday amongst which the issue of slow migrant verification in the village and the panchayat allegedly not receiving trade tax from industries dominated the discussion.
Regarding migrants, a letter was sent to the panchayat on behalf of the villagers, where it was demanded to expedite the tenant verification process in the interest of the safety of the villagers.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Sarpanch Joan Fernandes was questioned about the status of this verification exercise. Locals also recalled that there were incidents recently involving migrants that had left the villagers anxious.
It was then decided that once the verification exercise is completed, identity cards would be given to the migrants.
There was a major debate where villagers alleged that the panchayat has not been receiving trade tax for the last several years from the industries located at the industrial estate.
The locals also cited various sections of the Panchayat Act which they said proved that the panchayat was entitled to collect trade tax and that the village has missed out on a huge amount. Some of the locals had even taken up the matter with the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) under RTI Act.
The panchayat informed the locals that they have received compensation from GIDC. However, based on a letter sent by the locals, the panchayat agreed to write to the GIDC to confirm if the compensation was trade tax or not.
The panchayat also added that they are revising the tax to be collected from units at the shipping yard and that an engineer will be appointed to carry out measurements of the commercial areas being used.
It was also decided to convene an extraordinary gram sabha on October 29 to discuss a single issue – the land acquisition for the third Borim bridge.
In other matters, feedback to the draft agricultural policy was received from the villagers, which will be sent to the government.
The panchayat’s decision to allot a shop in the new panchayat building to the Socio-Cultural Club of Loutolim was also approved.
