Summary:
Panaji: The directorate of panchayats has stayed the Penha de Franca panchayat’s suspension of a 3-starred hotel’s trade licence for evading local taxes.In its fortnightly meeting on Saturday, the panchayat passed a resolution cancelling the hotel’s licence. The hotel has 98 rooms but was paying professional and other taxes for only 22 rooms, it had stated.It had further pointed out that the business was not registered with the labour department and the directorate of food and drugs administration. The establishment was subsequently directed to stop conducting business.On Tuesday, the directorate of panchayats stayed the direction pending further orders It held that the village panchayat’s resolution was passed without issuing a proper showcause notice and giving the party an opportunity to be heard.The panchayat, in its resolution, had stated that the hotel had obtained occupancy for 54 rooms in 2000-01, but began business without obtaining prior permission..