MARGAO: The decision of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to adopt the revised plinth area rates, which once implemented shall increase construction license fees for new residential and commercial buildings as well as single dwelling buildings by 38-45% has been criticised by the civic society.
Locals questioned how the MMC went ahead with this resolution when they had protested against a similar proposal that had been tabled during a previous MMC Council meeting, due to which, MMC had deferred this matter.
Locals accused the MMC of hurriedly trying to go ahead with this despite knowing the sentiments of the public.
“There should have been an attempt to reach out to the public, either by asking for written feedback or holding a meeting where the public could explain why they are objecting to the new high rates,” said Rehan Khan.
Margao resident Aneil Alvares warned the public that this adoption would have cascading effects on the common man if the adoption is not rolled back.
During the MMC council meeting, opposition councillor Ghanashyam Shirodkar had urged the council to hold on to passing the resolution given the impact it would have on the public and had suggested that a joint meeting be held with the MLAs concerned before the revised plinth area rates are implemented.
He had also said it was not necessary that the rates be revised as per the letter sent by the PWD in toto and if there was an increase, it could have been done so by not increasing the rates by too much so that the subsequent increase in construction license fees would be reduced to a great extent.
However, the MMC Chairperson had shot this down saying this was required as the civic body would be pulled by the government’s audit team and that the revenue of the MMC needs to increase.
Against this backdrop, fomer MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho alleged that the rates were adopted under the directions of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, while accusing the MLA of hypocrisy.
Coutinho recalled that on August 3 this year, the Margao MLA was heard showing concern for the common man, and he called for the rationalization of tax structure so as to minimise the impact on the common man.
“And exactly after three months he himself directed the adoption of the revised plinth area rates,” said Coutinho. He also condemned the Chairperson for allegedly making false statements that the revised hikes in plinth area rates were implemented by other Councils across Goa.
