MARGAO: Taking serious note of the outstanding dues, the first of its kind, “Weekend Tax Repayment Drive” of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), initiated by Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes managed to net in nearly Rs 3.31 lakh on the special weekend second Saturday.
The initiative which also sent a loud and clear message to tax defaulters within Margao that the Council means business when it comes to outstanding tax recovery.
“From constantly appealing to Margao’s business community and citizens and sending teams to remind those who have huge outstanding arrears of taxes, we have been managing a thin line of ensuing work didn’t suffer and public got their work done at the MMC despite the teams of staff sent on the field to recover taxes,” said the CO.
He further said that if one goes by the figures collected so far, the “Weekend Drive” was converted into a huge success with long queues seen at the MMC coming forward to repay outstanding taxes owed to the MMC.
“Many citizens and businessmen after repaying their outstanding taxes, called me up personally, thanking me for the reminder and initiative, and making it easy to repay, especially through the online option,” informed Fernandes.
Despite being a second Saturday, a day which hardly sees any activity in the MMC corridors, hectic movement was seen since morning, with queues swelling to repay outstanding taxes by noon.
The CO informed that 10 teams with six officials each visited most of the areas within the Municipal jurisdiction from 10.30 am onwards.
He earlier briefed the teams on their approach and pitch and cautioned to politely request and not force them to repay their dues, with the theme – “Municipality at Your Doorstep”, covering and spreading the message to all wards of the municipality.
Around 100 staff of MMC participated in the drive and around 40 marched into the main market to ensure the MMC governance was on foot to recover the dues.
While speaking on the special drive, the Chief Officer said that the goodwill between the MMC and Margao citizenry and business community must always prevail.
The CO appealed to all citizens and business houses to maintain the momentum while thanking his staff who sacrificed their weekend with their families to ensure they stood by the council in its hour of need.
