A delegation of tax payers of Margao gave an indication to the civic body that they will move to the higher authorities including the court. The move came a week after they got the Margao Municipal Council to stop the implementation of sanitation fees.

The delegation was led by former MMC chairperson Savio Coutinho, Laurel Abranches, Jose Marie Miranda and president of Hoteliers Association CP Jaggi. The delegation met Chief Officer YB Tawde and submitted a memorandum demanding justice to the tax payers. They told the Chief Officer that the tax payers will have no choice but to conclude that the civic body is deliberately indulging in loss of revenue for the council. They also said that they will be forced to approach any higher authority or a court of law who will address their grievances.

Cotinho said that, though the civic body had promised to implement all the assurances given to the delegation last week, the confusion still exists amongst the Municipal administration on the levy of fees and acceptance of taxes, including the trade license.

“While it was agreed that the civic body will not charge the household owners the sanitation fee and accept trade license as well as other revenue, it is brought to our notice that the Municipal officials have not been accepting even trade license from the traders,” said one of the delegation members.

The delegation reminded the Chief Officer that the civic body has agreed not to charge any penalty for delay in the renewal of trade license, until the entire process is completed. The civic body had also agreed to accept renewal of trade license without charging the sanitation fees as per the new rates.

Speaking to the media persons Chief Officer YB Tawde agreed that some confusion prevailed amongst the officials on the acceptance of trade license from the traders. “We will communicate to the lower rung officials to accept the trade license and to levy the sanitation fees only after the council takes a call after holding a special meeting,” Tawde informed.

MMC Chairperson Babita Angle said that she is analysing the issue over sanitation fees and the council meeting will be convened only after taking all the stakeholders into confidence.

Team TNV