Team Herald
MARGAO: A group of concerned citizens and taxpayers from Margao staged a protest outside the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) building, opposing the proposed hike in taxes and fees.
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The protest saw strong participation from Congress functionaries Orville Rodrigues, Rajan Ghate, Moreno Rebello, and Milagris Fernandes, along with Goa Forward Party members Dilip Prabhudesai, Mohandas Lolienkar, and Dr. Babita Angle. Several MMC councillors, traders, house and shop owners, and other prominent citizens also joined the demonstration.
Savio Coutinho strongly criticized the BJP-led Municipal Council and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, accusing them of insensitivity toward already burdened traders and taxpayers.
Taking a jibe at MMC Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar’s claim that the hike was “limited to 20%,” Coutinho sarcastically suggested that taxpayers might gift him a calculator if his own wasn’t working correctly.
He further questioned the Margao MLA and the Chairperson about the recovery of pending dues, including Rs 18 lakh misappropriated by council staff and over Rs 65 lakh owed by the Sopo contractor. Coutinho also pointed to the non-recovery of taxes, fees, and rent from mobile tower operators and petrol pumps occupying municipal land. He demanded that the Council first focus on recovering outstanding dues and completing the survey of unassessed properties before imposing any tax hikes.
Goa Forward leader Mohandas Lolienkar accused the “triple-engine BJP administration” in Margao of attempting to “squeeze” the people of Margao, Fatorda, and Curtorim. He remarked that MLA Kamat’s decision to implement the new rates from April 1 was an added burden on citizens.
When questioned about Goa Forward councilors not opposing the resolution for the hike, Lolienkar claimed that the Chairperson had misled councillors into believing the increase was only a modest 20%. However, he assured the public that Goa Forward councillors would now firmly oppose the hike.
He also warned the ruling councillors and the MLA that if the hike was not rolled back, the people would express their discontent in the upcoming municipal and assembly elections.
Andrew Pereira criticized Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar’s tenure, describing it as marred by financial irregularities. He cited incidents such as the theft of Rs 50,000, the alleged job scam, and the recent misappropriation of Rs 18 lakh by
MMC staff.
Councillors Ravindra Naik and Lyndon Pereira voiced their complete opposition to the steep hike, while Camilo Barretto called it unjustified, warning that it would place a severe financial strain on the common man.
Concluding the protest, Coutinho warned that if the Council proceeded with the tax hike despite public opposition, taxpayers would be compelled to take action. He announced that they would resort to a civil disobedience movement by refusing to pay municipal taxes.
