Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: In a dramatic turn of events, the Margao Congress Block has launched a scathing attack on MLA Digamber Kamat, criticizing the recent substantial increase in municipal taxes and fees. This backlash comes after a council meeting on February 27, which the Congress Block claims was merely a formality to rubber-stamp decisions already made by Kamat. The controversy centers around allegations that the actual hike in fees ranges from 50% to over 500%, contrary to claims of a modest 15% to 20% increase.
Margao Congress leader Savio Coutinho, flanked by other party members including Adv Snehal Onskar and Clifford Dias, addressed a press conference to highlight the discrepancies. Coutinho pointed out that while the Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar downplayed the increase, specific examples show a stark reality. For instance, house tax transfer fees have skyrocketed from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000, and trade license fees have been hiked from ₹1,547 to between ₹2,500 and ₹6,000. Additionally, the cost of issuing birth and death certificates has doubled.
The Congress Block also displayed a banner listing over ₹1 crore recoverable from those who allegedly cheated the council, using Kamat’s own words against him. They argued that while Kamat remains silent on frauds that have cost the council significant funds, he is orchestrating these hikes to burden taxpayers further. The party warned that such steep increases could lead to the shutdown of businesses or encourage illegal activities, as local establishments already struggle against online shopping platforms.
Coutinho emphasized that the impact will not be limited to Margao residents but will also affect others who own premises in the area. He urged the public to oppose these hikes, warning that the silence of Margao residents could eventually result in an exorbitant house tax increase.
