TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Velim Panchayat finds itself in a fix over the structures dotting along the Cutbona jetty road.
On one hand, the 35 commercial structures, excluding the office of the Cutbona Boat Owners Union, have been operating from the jetty for years now, without paying any taxes to the local panchayat. On the other hand, the panchayat is toying with an idea to impose sopo tax on the commercial structures without bestowing any legal status on the structures.
While Sarpanch Melvyn Sanches has mooted the idea to generate revenue in order to beef up the coffers of the panchayat, the move has raised many an eyebrow as was evident at the special grams sabha, with some members calling for the demolition of the structures, if they are illegal.
Says Sanches: “The structures along the Cutbona jetty are all illegal. Some of them have been standing tall for over two decades. They have been doing brisk business over the years, but the panchayat has not benefited in any way by way of revenue.”
Explaining his proposal, Sanches said the Panchayat was contemplating imposing sopo tax on the structures. “We plan to levy a sopo fee of Rs 50 and Rs 20 respectively on the structures. If the decision find acceptance with the gram sabha and Panchayat body, it would fetch huge revenue to the Panchayat. At the same time, no legal status would be bestowed on the structures”, he added.
Replying to a question, the Sarpanch said he would seek legal opinion on the matter before the proposal is placed before the gram sabha for approval. “This is just a proposal and we will first seek nod of the gram sabha before going ahead with its implementation”, he added.
Some of the structures lining along on the landward side of the jetty have been existing for years now, while others set up shop after the authorities razed down the structures standing along the river Sal at the jetty upon court orders around a decade ago.
