TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: Expressing surprise over the allegations by Congress over taxation issue, Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) Chairperson Radhika Naik said the council had studied the matter before increasing the taxes.
“Earlier, PMC failed to solve the garbage issue. Before increasing the taxes, we studied the total cost incurred on garbage disposal and treatment and it came to almost Rs 2.5 crore per year,” said Naik.
“We sent the proposal to DMA for grant, which suggested that PMC should learn to become self sufficient in generating revenue and left with no alternative, we increased sanitation taxes during the budget meeting for the current year,” justified Naik.
“Many people and businessmen approached us with complaints that taxes are exorbitant. Considering this, we will not burden them and PMC already decided to take up the issue in the council meeting on April 24,” said Naik.
“Congress is only trying to take advantage and make an issue out of it,” Radhika Naik alleged.
The last council had failed to resolve the garbage menace and it was our council since the last one year which solved the problem by door-to-door collection of garbage installing OWC machines in municipal areas to treat the organic waste,” informed Naik.
Regarding controversial extension to one staffer at PMC, she said it was given by the Election Commission till May 16. “Thereafter, the PMC will decide whether to continue the services of the staffer or not,” said Naik.
