The SCM had announced earlier that it would identify revenue leakages/sources which are ignored by the Margao Municipal Council.
The law makers themselves could set an example by paying applicable fees of the banners put up by them granting various wishes to people, demanded the SCM.
“During every festival, politicians, especially councillors of Margao Municipal Council, put up banners/hoardings/signages to wish the people/voters. However, hardly anybody obtains permissions for the same by paying the applicable fees,” the shadow council said.
During this Christmas season (just like any other festival) hundreds of banners/ hoarding/signages were put up all over the city. Most of these had been put up by politicians/councillors.
“We have learnt that the Council has collected revenue of less than Rs 500 towards all the signages. Eventually, the Council will end up spending Rs 10,000 to 15,000 towards the wages of workers, market inspector, driver and vehicles deputed to remove the banners,” said SCM’s Savio Coutinho.
“No citizen of Margao wants greetings if they have to pay for the removal of your garbage,” Coutinho added.
Since the charges towards such display is only Rs 16 per sqm, all those who have not paid the applicable fees are urged to do so post-facto, and set an example for other citizens, appealed the SCM.
“The Council had said they would work on revenue building. When law makers try to absolve themselves from paying applicable fees, how do they expect the common man to follow the rules?” the SCM wondered.
The SCM further pointed out that over 90 per cent of the various signages/ hoardings are displayed without valid permission.
“The Council is losing funds to the tune of lakhs of rupees from such advertisements,” Coutinho stated.
The SCM feels that no citizen would shy away from obtaining permission for display of signboards and felt the Council should simplify the procedures if required. The SCM wanted the new Council and the new CO to know that though hundreds of hoardings stand tall all over the City, not a single rupee by way of tax, is collected for these hoardings.
While the advertising companies earn in lakhs per year per hoarding, the Council earns nothing, Coutinho claimed.
The SCM assured the citizens of Margao to work in the interest of the City and promised to come up with other major revenue leakages very soon.
“The Council should realise that the Shadow Council for Margao shall identify and provide revenue sources so that the Council will never complain of shortage of funds for the Development of the City,” Coutinho stated.
