Panaji, Apr 17: The annual budget of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) for the year 2016-17 could spell more than 100 per cent hike in the garbage tax for the residents of the capital city.
Presently, the Corporation collects an annual garbage tax of Rs 360 per household, which comes to roughly Rs 1 per day.
As per highly placed sources at the city civic body, a recent meeting between city Mayor Surendra Furtado and CCP Commissioner Sanjith Rodrigues decided to hike the garbage tax to Rs 750 per annum. The decision was taken following the review of the city garbage tax vis-à-vis garbage tax charged by the Margao Municipal Council and the Taleigao village panchayat, which are presently charging Rs 600 and Rs 750 per year, respectively, for daily collection of domestic garbage.
The CCP could also go for a hike in garbage tax for offices and shops, restaurants and hotels in all categories, large and small party halls, and fast food gaddas among others, besides for the collection of garden waste, and debris.
The standing committee of the CCP will meet on April 20 to give its clearance to the Corporation budget. The budget would then be placed before the councillors for passing, during a special meeting, at a later date.
The CCP budget, which is almost ready, as per the highly placed sources, shows that the revenue of around Rs 17 crore generated by the Corporation through various taxes is being spent on the salaries of the Corporation staff. The salaries have substantially increased after the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission. The budget, as per these sources, places the dependence of CCP on government grants for carrying out the developmental works in the city.
Meanwhile, the CCP is also contemplating implementation of the pay parking system in the city at the earliest, and a related tender would soon be floated, which would include pay parking rate of Rs 20 per hour for four-wheeler vehicles, instead of the earlier proposed rate of Rs 10 for four hours. The April 20 meeting of the CCP’s standing committee will also discuss the pay parking issue.
It may be recalled that the CCP had passed a budget of Rs 34.66 crore for the year 2015-16 with a deficit of Rs 6.10 crore.