Congress intensifies stir against Margao municipality tax hike

Margao: The Margao Congress block launched a door-to-door campaign against steep tax increases proposed by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), to be effective on April 1.

The campaign, which began on March 16, followed earlier social media awareness efforts that revealed many residents were either unaware of the hike or believed it would be limited to 20%. “When we showed people the MMC’s public notice and explained the financial burden they would face, they were shocked,” said Savio Coutinho, a Congress worker. “Many immediately condemned their representatives for approving such increases without proper consultation.”

Congress members created widely circulated videos highlighting how the increases will affect various establishments, including law offices, clinics, retail shops, gyms, bars, and restaurants. The council categorised charges into over 50 different modes, which Congress members claim deliberately obscures the full impact from public scrutiny.

“Our main purpose is to demand the immediate withdrawal of these proposed rates,” Coutinho said. “We’re distributing copies of the MMC’s notice during our campaign so citizens understand exactly what they’ll be paying.” Congress criticised the municipality’s approach, suggesting that bringing all premises under the tax net would increase revenue collection “four-fold” without requiring increases on legally assessed properties.

“The council is only interested in extorting money from loyal taxpayers,” Coutinho charged, urging citizens to pressure their representatives to withdraw the increases immediately. MMC chairperson Damodar Shirodkar, on the other hand, stoutly defended the hike in taxes, saying they were long overdue.

“The council conducted a comparative study of fees charged by other municipalities in Goa before rationalising our rates. We ensured the common man wasn’t overburdened,” he said.