NT NETWORK
NAVELIM
Following demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the revenue flow to village panchayats has been badly hit with the public finding it tough to pay up taxes and fees for other services.
The central government’s move has also cast a shadow on the salaries of panchayat staff, especially, the daily wage workers, mostly engaged in garbage collection.
Velim sarpanch Melvyn Sanches informed that ever since the demonetisation of the higher denomination notes has been done, the revenue collection has been affected with hardly anybody coming to pay the tax dues as it is tough to get change.
Sanches said that the panchayat staffers, however, have nothing to worry as far as their salaries are concerned as it will be credited to their accounts.
With no flow of cash to the Colva panchayat, its garbage collection drive near the beach has suffered.
Sarpanch Menino Fernandes informed that the village panchayat had passed a resolution to clean the entrance of the beach thrice a week, and the panchayat engages daily wage workers for that.
However, ever since the Union government has demonetised the higher denomination currency notes, the panchayat is unable to carry out the cleaning as the labourers are refusing to accept the higher denomination notes, he added.
He said, “We have now approached water sports operators and sought their help in clearing the garbage till the situation improves.”
Navelim sarpanch Frank Fernandes said, “We are coping with the situation, and even accepted the demonetised notes and are making the payments to the workers involved in daily operations by the panchayat.”
Former deputy sarpanch of Curtorim village panchayat Santano Rodrigues informed that the panchayat and public are facing a lot of hardships due to the non-availability of change. He said that daily functioning of the panchayat has slowed down drastically.
