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Five shops raided for flouting local body tax rules

Thursday, 21 November 2013 11:32 administrator
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The Times of India            21.11.2013

Five shops raided for flouting local body tax rules

KALWA: Food product distributors from reputed companies were targeted by the local body tax (LBT) wing of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Wednesday at Kalwa. Four such distributors were raided by the team, for reportedly flouting LBT rules by evading payment since April 1.

The shops that faced the wrath of surprise raid were Swami Samarth Enterprises, Gajanan Agency, DHO Agency and Om Distributors. Besides, a hardware store named Choudhary Pipes and Fittings also came under the scanner.

Deputy municipal commissioner Dilip Dhole monitored the raid with his subordinates.

"We will continue to raid the tax evaders based on their past transactions in the octroi regime," said Dhole.

Hundreds of traders turned up to pay their dues on Tuesday and Wednesday after the TMC sent reminders through emails and text messages to LBT defaulters.

By Tuesday the civic body was richer with Rs 268 crore, including stamp duty and escort charges. With over 19,000 text messages and 7,000 emails sent to registered traders in the city limits in the last few days, a good number of payers turned up to pay their dues.

"We recorded Rs 13 crore in the last three days to reach Rs 268 crore from last week's Rs 255 crore. Apart from this, raids are being conducted by our team to bring the defaulters into book. We are trying all ways to recover the expected amount through LBT," said Dilip Dhole, deputy municipal commissioner and head of LBT department.

So far, over 28, 000 traders in the city have been registered under LBT net out of which 1, 500 have taken advantage of newly introduced online payment system which was introduced last week. TMC plans to continue the sms and email sending system every month as a gentle reminder to the traders to pay tax on or before 20th day of every month.

"As today, November 20, is the last date for making payment of LBT for October, we have seen serpentine queues at collection centres and rush in online payment portal. This turnout is attributed to our effort to bring all traders into LBT net through courtesy reminders via sms and emails," said an officer.

 

'Structural audit must or Rs 25,000 fine'

Thursday, 21 November 2013 11:31 administrator
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The Times of India            21.11.2013

'Structural audit must or Rs 25,000 fine'

THANE: Taking serious note of dilapidated buildings in the city after the Kalwa building collapse incident, civic commissioner Aseem Gupta has asked citizens to carry out structural audit, failing which a penalty of Rs 25,000 will be imposed. The decision was taken at the general body meeting on Wednesday.

Gupta said, "According to the government directives, all 30-year-old buildings should go through structural audit and owners have to procure health card of the structure. We request citizens to conduct structural audit of old buildings. If they fail to do so, then they will be fined Rs 25,000."

The civic chief has directed his officers to initiate a survey and prepare a list of old and dilapidated buildings that need to undergo structural audit. "Proper and authentic audit is must. Extra floors in existing buildings will be razed to reduce load for its safety. We have earmarked 150 such structures that have been amended in the property tax net," said Gupta.

Gupta added, "Cluster development is the only viable alternative to replace deplorable buildings in the city but it's impossible to implement the policy overnight. We had several rounds of discussion with higher-ups in Mantralaya. Another meeting is scheduled on Friday with the chief minister. We have almost completed the ground work pertaining to cluster development policy."

He has agreed to issue permission for construction of houses in the gram panchayat area if illegal floors have not been added so far. Any misuse of permission will be null and void, said Gupta.

 

Civic chief orders survey of Thane schools

Thursday, 21 November 2013 11:25 administrator
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The Times of India            21.11.2013

Civic chief orders survey of Thane schools

THANE: In the wake of a series of building collapse in the city, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) chief Aseem Gupta has directed his officers to conduct a thorough survey of all civic schools as well as private schools to ensure that the structures are safe to continue their activities.

The civil engineering department has been instructed to carry out a proper survey of all school building structures and submit their report at the earliest.

It may be recalled that out of 128 schools run by the civic body, nine schools in Kausa area and one in Yeoor hills have been declared most dangerous, which led to immediate shut down.

 
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