VASCO: In order for a panchayat to function smoothly, villagers need to pay their dues, said Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho on Monday, appealing to residents of village panchayats to pay up their taxes for the services they enjoy.
Godinho warned that the government would not release additional funds, if the village panchayats failed to recover their dues from the villagers. He added that he will make it mandatory for panchayats across Goa to recover long pending dues and outstanding taxes on top priority.
“I have told all newly-elected panchayat members that it is time to act. People don’t want to pay even basic taxes but want all the services provided by the local body. Now, the panchayat members will not issue certificates in case one’s taxes or dues are not paid. Panchayats and local bodies cannot survive if people fail to pay their dues,” said Godinho.
The Minister warned a particular shack operator who has reportedly refused to pay his dues to the Bogmalo-Chicolna panchayat. “This shack operator has written to the Bogmalo-Chicolna panchayat, questioning why they are collecting taxes from a shack operator, and saying he does not want to pay them. I want to warn him publicly, that he cannot expect everything free, and that I will initiate action against him if he does not pay what is due to the local body,” he added.
