MARGAO: After constant appeals to the citizens and business houses within Margao Municipal Council (MMC) jurisdiction, MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has finally decided to get down to serious business with tax defaulters citing huge areas in the amounts owed by shops and businesses to the municipality in the form of Municipal Tax.
Speaking to the media persons on Thursday, the CO also said that the month of September and October saw the A Class municipality struggle with staff salaries as tax collections have dropped considerably due to non payment of taxes and huge amounts outstanding in the form of arrears. The CO sounded the bugle today, even as all salaries were released, thanks to the never ceasing efforts of the pro active Chief Officer.
The CO had earlier this week issued a fervent appeal through the press to all those who have outstanding payments due to come forward and pay the amounts due to the municipality. It seems despite all the efforts of the CO and his team, there is still reluctance in the repayment of arrears and hence, the Council has decided to act tough and seal shops which have not paid taxes.
“Most of the staff from the Taxation Section was sent on field duty from 9.30 am to 1 pm, to recover the outstanding dues while they attend their duties during the evening session so that office work is not hampered,” he informed.
The CO has ensured skeletal staff is in office to attend urgent works so that the public should not suffer.
He further said that the serving of notices will be completed by October 15 and after seven days sealing the process of defaulters and those running business without trade licence will be taken up on a war footing.
