Deccan Herald 03.02.2010
| ‘Implement SAS and collect tax from all property owners effectively’ |
| Kodgi urges MCC to emphasise on resource mobilisation |
| Mangalore, Feb 2, DHNS: |
Issue door numbers and collect tax from illegal structures under the provisions of Section 112 (C) of Karnataka Municipal Councils (KMC) Act and enhance the resource mobilisation, Third Finance Commission Chairman A G Kodgi directed Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) authorities. |
Chairing a review meet at the Corporation Council Hall here on Tuesday, Kodgi said that Corporation should give more emphasis on resource mobilisation.
“Implement SAS and collect tax from all property owners effectively. Corporation need not wait for government’s clarification to implement the Section 112 (C) of KMC Act,” he said and directed the corporation authorities to increase the revenue through all possible means including advertisement and parking fees.
Explaining revenue collection, MCC Commissioner Dr K N Vijaya Prakash said that while MCC had a target of Rs 20.35 crore in 2007-08, the total collection was Rs 14.19, while the balance was Rs 6.56 crore. In 2008-09, the target was Rs 25.11 crore. However, the Corporation had collected Rs 13.06 crore and the balance was Rs 12.05 crore.
Corporation has already collected Rs 11.79 crore till December, 2009, against the target of Rs 33.59 for 2009-10. The balance for the year is Rs 21.79 crore, he said and pointed out that the tax collection process has been affected due to the delay in the implementation of SAS.
Handbook on revised SAS will be released before February 15, he said adding that property owners can pay the tax through 33 branches of various national banks too.
Vijaya Prakash said that the special task force has identified 33,635 property to be covered under SAS in 57 wards in the Corporation. The expected revenue collection may increase by about Rs 8.5 crore after the survey was over in 60 wards. Currently, there are 1.41 lakh residential buildings and 42,000 commercial buildings in MCC limits, he added.
Kodgi promised in the meet that he would recommend the government to increase the honourarium for elected members in the local body. Third Finance Commission members Thimmegowda, Mahendra S Kanti, MCC Mayor M Shanker Bhat, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary and Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj were present.
