Deccan Herald 24.08.2012
Collect tax in time or pay up, CMC officers told
A G Kodgi, chairperson of Third Finance
Commission, has warned that Municipal and Panchayat officers who
neglected revenue collection should make up for the loss themselves.
“The
collection of revenue and providing amenities are symbiotic as one
cannot collect revenue without providing amenities nor give facilities
for free. The jobs are the responsibility of the local administrative
officers, who are expected to do so with diligence,” said Kodgi, at a
meeting of the task force at the Kolar Zilla Panchayat auditorium on
Thursday.
Staff and space
Kodgi and
Commission member Thimmegowda rejected the explanation offered by CMC
president Nazia and municipal commissioner Mahendra Kumar that the
municipality lacked enough staff and space.
“The CMC should have
managed to collect a minimum of Rs three crore, forgoing building rent
of Rs 90 lakh,” said Thimmegowda, but the president and commissioner
failed to explain why the CMC had failed to do so.
Deputy Commissioner D S Vishwanath added that the CMC revenue collection had reduced from 19 per cent to 15 per cent.
“The
revenue collection target has been increasing every year, but the
actual collection of the CMC is decreasing, since the members and
officers have grossly neglected it,” said Thimmegowda.
‘Drought no hindrance’
CMC vice-president Khaleel Ahmed cited drought as the reason for non-collection of revenue.Dissatisfied,
Kodgi and Thimmegowda said that the drought had affected other taluks
in the district as well. “But the municipalities there have not failed
to miserably in collection. The reason cannot be logical,” they said and
added that commercial activities in the urban areas had not shrunk
because of the drought.
“The local organisations have been wasting water, adding to the problems of the citizens,” the Commission officers said.
‘Issue notice’
CMC
officers were told to list out names of citizens who have failed to pay
taxes and send them notices. “If they fail to respond, try getting the
money directly from their bank accounts,” added Thimmegowda.
Dr Mahendra S Kanthi, a member of the task force, and Rajendra Cholan, CEO of the Zilla Panchayat were present.
