Summary:
Dessai further stated that service tax is applicable only in 2007, but the council calculated it from 1998 onwards. Sources said that lessees have to pay the council over Rs 60 lakh, as outstanding dues since 1998.Dessai said that all shopkeepers refused to pay the amount, as SMC has increased it inappropriately. Shopkeepers said that chief minister Manohar Parrikar had given an assurance in the House on August 2 that shopkeepers should be allowed to pay their arrears only with 5 percent increase within a period of three years. Quepem: Sanguem Merchants’ Association has called for a ‘bandh’ in the town on Tuesday in protest against the Sanguem Municipal Council's (SMC) two-day ultimatum to owners of tenanted shops to pay their arrears.SMC chief officer Laxmikant R Dessai had sent a demand notice to all rented shop owners on September 9 asking them to pay their outstanding dues within two days, failing which due action will be initiated against the defaulters.He said that the decision to send notices was taken by the director of municipal administration.Association member Raju Dessai told TOI that most shopkeepers had applied for their renewal of agreement since 1998 but the council failed to renew it..