Team Goemkarponn
MORMUGAO: The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has launched a comprehensive tax assessment drive ahead of Diwali, issuing show cause notices and warning of strict action against establishments — including major petrol pumps — that have failed to clear their dues.
Chairperson Girish Borker on Friday said the council has restarted its assessment initiative after several property owners and traders were found evading payments. “We have begun our assessment drive ahead of Diwali. The process had started earlier, but we decided to intensify it as many are still avoiding payment of dues to the MMC,” said Borker. “We are not only targeting small establishments but also large ones, including petrol pumps, who neither have valid trade licences nor have cleared their long-pending dues.”
Highlighting the financial challenges faced by the council, Borker recalled that MMC earlier received substantial revenue through Octroi taxes, which were discontinued nearly a decade ago.
“We used to get a major chunk of our income from Octroi, but that system stopped long ago. Now, we must be self-sustainable to ensure we can pay our staff salaries and prevent revenue leaks,” he added.
Borker further said the council has also initiated a house tax assessment to generate additional income.
“We are not against anyone — all we expect is that people pay their dues on time,” Borker said. “Several have sublet their establishments without updating records, while others are operating trades different from those listed in their licences. We will not tolerate such violations.”
He confirmed that show-cause notices have been issued to all defaulters, giving them seven days to pay their dues.
“If they fail to comply within the deadline and pay our dues, we will directly close their establishments and seal their premises without further notice,” Borker warned.
