POINGUINIM: The new Chief Officer of Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) Chandrakant Shetkar took stock of the situation of the income of the CMC through taxes and he was dismayed to find that the CMC had not hiked the takes on its leased buildings and commercial establishments since the past two decades and it was stagnant.
That apart many of the tenants had not paid the taxes to the CMC since the past many years and no notices were issued to them for recovery on their liability.
In the recently held council meeting the CO called upon the staff members of CMC to conduct a detailed study and report to him about the pending dues failing which he will be compelled to take punitive measures.
Every CO of Canacona has been advocating for revision of taxes but their moves lead to nothing because of the frequent transfers and is stalled by the elected representative who own the buildings and shops on proxy and those on whose names it is leased are supporting their partners.
It is learnt that then CO Sudin Natu had embarked on the same path, to hike the taxes but after his transfer the momentum was lost and now the new CO is adamant to generate more revenue for the Canacona municipality for the development.
C Shetkar with his honest intention will have some time during the period of the Code of Conduct as the ensuing municipal council elections takes place and he will not face much interference from political bosses.
