Step up tax collection: Kodagi

While some local bodies were not doing its job effectively, a few have not bothered to revise tax.

Addressing a news conference after the meeting of presidents and vice-presidents of town municipal councils and city municipal council and officials here, he said the task force had already submitted its interim report to the government. Without making the report public, the government had implemented some recommendations including hike in grants to local bodies and appointment of PDOs. The final report would be submitted in May, he added.

Kodigi said the tax collection was dismal in Hassan. The system was not in place for collection of water tax. Need of the hour was to install meters for all taps and collect tax accordingly. The progress of CMC was not much as expected. The figures given in the reports were incorrect.

The authorities had been asked to furnish exact data. The task force has suggested the government to supply power supply for drinking water and street lighting at subsidised rates.

Task Force members Ramachandra, Thimmegowda and Mahendra Kanti were present.
Subsidy recommended

Earlier, in the review meeting, Kodigi said the task force would recommend government to give special incentive for CMCs and TMCs which achieve remarkable progress in tax collection and other issues. Officials and elected representatives had to join hands to recover tax legally.

They should give impetus on payment of property tax voluntarily. The staff and officials had to furnish correct data of all wards to provide basic amenities.

Any report prepared sitting in offices would not be accurate. The best example has been the report submitted by the CMC. Henceforth, review meeting would be held once in three months, he added.

Kodigi termed it as ‘unscientific’ supplying water to rich and poor in cities at one rate. While the rich store water and waste by watering plants in garden, the poor strive even for a pot of water.