MARGAO: Residents aspiring to build new homes in Margao should brace themselves for a substantial increase in construction license fees, ranging from 38 to 45 percent. The Margao Municipal Council has included in its agenda the plinth area rates formulated by the Public Works Department (PWD), which, once adopted, will soon come into effect.
This decision is bound to impact the citizens of Margao, who are already grappling with the aftermath of a 50 percent sanitation fees hike imposed by the Margao Municipal Council on legally assessed premises.
The forthcoming meeting scheduled for August 25 is expected to deliberate and pass a resolution regarding the adoption of the proposed new plinth area rates.
Savio Coutinho, former Chairperson, shared his perspective on the matter, pointing out the inconsistency in the council’s approach towards circulars and proposals. He emphasized that while the council expeditiously implements such measures on legal premises, it hesitates to take similar action on illegal properties, despite receiving numerous circulars and reminders on the subject.
Coutinho elaborated that the adoption of the new plinth area rates could lead to a significant increase in license fees. For instance, license fees for a 100 square meters residential unit would surge from the current Rs 67,614 to Rs 93,307.
Similarly, licence fees for a 100 square meters commercial unit would rise from Rs 76,916 to Rs 1,11,530. In cases of buildings equipped with lifts, an additional fee of Rs 82,282 per lift remains applicable.
Individual houses, although fewer in number, are heavily impacted by this change. Coutinho also highlighted that the increased licensing fees for units developed by builders eventually get transferred to the purchasers. He called upon developers to engage with the government to address this increase in plinth area rates, particularly for the benefit of their clients.
Coutinho urged the three MLAs associated with the Council, namely Digambar Kamat, Vijay Sardessai, and Reginald Lourenco, to address the matter and reconsider the 50 percent sanitation fee hike. He stressed that these measures could inadvertently encourage more illegal activities in the city, as the perception grows that such activities often remain unchecked in Margao.
