Pay dues or face fines: CCP to homeowners and biz people

Panaji: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has issued a directive to homeowners and business licence holders, asking them to clear their dues for the current financial year before the end of March to avoid being slapped with steep penalties.

In a public notice, the corporation also set a deadline of March 15 for the businesses that ceased operations to submit a written application for trade licence cancellation and to surrender the licence. Such businesses must also clear all the outstanding trade licence fees and house tax dues. Failure to do so may result in further action, said CCP commissioner Clen Madeira.

Additionally, CCP reminded all property owners and businesses operating in the state capital to complete payments for signages, sanitation fees and other charges to avoid punitive action.

Meanwhile, house taxpayers within CCP’s jurisdiction can start paying taxes and licence fees for the new financial year 2025-26, from April. This includes house tax, trade and occupation licence fees, signboard tax, and sanitation charges.

The deadline for paying these dues without penalty is May 31, and payments made after this date will attract interest and fines, said Madeira in the public notice.

The dues can be paid at the CCP office as well as through the CCP website. Madeira said that payment will not be accepted between March 20 and March 31 due to financial year-end procedures.

“Furthermore, individuals intending to start new businesses or install signboards must apply immediately through the designated online portal — goaulbservice.gov.in — and failure to register or renew trade and signboard licences will lead to the commercial premises being sealed under Section 242A of the City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022.”