Tax collection by panchayats falls short of targets

Basheerabad:   Against the targeted tax collection of Rs 9,10,09,320 for the fiscal year 2017-18, the gram panchayats in Vikarabad district –367- could realise only Rs 4 crore, less than 50 per cent of the targeted sum, even as the fiscal year is drawing to a close shortly. 

On account of the poor collection, the panchayat sarpanches say that they have no alternative except spending from the finance commission funds

Last year, the tax collection by the panchayats was 80 per cent. On account of the poor collection, the panchayat sarpanches say that they have no alternative except spending from the finance commission funds.

The district panchayat officer, Majid, in a meeting with panchayat secretaries of Assembly constituencies, asked them to step up tax collection. As a result, the secretaries hit rural roads to recover the tax dues. 

Commenting on the last-minute efforts, the people feel that the initiative should have commenced six months ago. 

For all the 367 panchayats, there are only 150 panchayat secretaries. Moreover, 10 to 15 secretaries are on leave. Each panchayat secretary has to take care of at least three to four panchayats. 

Moreover, they have been saddled with additional responsibilities like conducting surveys, submitting reports on formation of new panchayats. Therefore, the tax receipts are not encouraging. 

Center will release funds only if the tax collection was proper. Otherwise, the centre is forced to impose cut in release of funds to panchayats.
 
The tax collection is somewhat better in the panchayats of Puduru, Parigi, Daultabad, Kodangal and Bomraspet, while it was dismal in respect of backward villages of Marpalli, Bantwaram and Yalala.