Kavlem locals compel p’yat to cut hiked house taxes

Ponda: Stating that rising inflation has already broken the backbone of common people, Kavlem villagers compelled the village panchayat to reduce the hiked house tax rates by 50%.The Kavlem gram sabha on Sunday unanimously passed a resolution, by a show of hands, to reduce the house tax hike by half.The proposal received overwhelming support from villagers, who argued that the increased tax burden was difficult to bear amid the escalating cost of living.As per the revised rates, RCC buildings will now be charged Rs 10 per sqm of house area instead of Rs 20, while owners of tiled-roof houses will have to pay Rs 8 per sqm. A rate of Rs 5 per sqm will be applicable to cowsheds. Earlier, owners of tiled-roof houses and cowsheds were required to pay Rs 15 and Rs 10 per sqm, respectively.The gram sabha witnessed heated arguments over the house tax hike, the functionality of CCTV cameras, and roadside garbage dumping.The tax rates had been increased during the 2024-25 financial year, but locals felt that the hike was exorbitant and imposed without adequately considering the financial difficulties faced by residents.The meeting was chaired by Sarpanch Manuja Naik. Deputy Sarpanch Sushant Kapileshwarkar and all panch members were present.Naik said the panchayat had received a representation signed by around 200 villagers demanding a reduction in house tax rates.The issue was discussed during the gram sabha, following which the revised rates were approved, providing relief to villagers.After an hour-long discussion, the panchayat finally agreed to reduce the house tax hike.In a bid to curb the growing nuisance of garbage dumping, the panchayat decided to install CCTV cameras to keep vigil over offenders and impose fines on those found littering.Opposing the use of grants sanctioned under the Finance Commission for garbage disposal, locals urged the panchayat to utilise garbage tax collections for waste management.Villagers also offered suggestions on the proposed budget and demanded the creation of facilities at the panchayat ground, maintenance of the crematorium, and action against illegal scrapyards and unauthorised constructions, in accordance with court directions.