The Hindu 20.11.2013
Notice issued to 115 government offices over water tax dues
The officials of Nagercoil municipality have issued
notice to as many as 115 Government offices for not paying water tax on
Tuesday.
According to sources, there are around
33,665 tap connections in Nagercoil town. The water tax arrear was
around Rs1.75 crore. Of that, 237 persons, including 115 government
buildings, had a huge backlog as they had failed to remit water tax for
the last 15 years.
The arrears for some of the defaulters range from Rs.1,000 to Rs.3 lakh.
Seeing no other options, the officials have started disconnecting the water connection in the government buildings.
They have disconnected seven connections and as others have sought times, they have been asked to remit the tax at the earliest.
The
municipal officials said that in the first phase they have started
disconnecting water connections in government buildings and in the
second phase, house connections would be disconnected for not paying
water tax.
For the benefit of the consumers
additional counters have been opened to pay the water tax in the
municipality. Even during Saturdays, the defaulters could remit the
water tax.
Hence, the officials have appealed to the defaulters to make use of this opportunity and pay the taxes.
The
municipal officials have also started taking stringent measures to
collect property tax from houses, government buildings, commercial
establishments etc.
It has come to light that
property taxes are pending for as many as 78,877 buildings, including
houses, shopping complexes and commercial establishments.
Arrears for some of the defaulters range from Rs.1,000 to Rs.3 lakh.