Computerise Tax dept to plug Council fund leakage: Teilinia

SHILLONG: HSPDP MDC Teilinia Thangkhiew on Wednesday suggested that the KHADC should generate fresh sources of revenue to overcome the financial constraints it was facing, by initiate computerization of the Professional Tax Department to enable the Council to keep tab on non-payment of taxes.
Moving a motion in the regard in the House, Thangkhiew suggested that a park should be established and the boundary walls on the Council’s premises should be lowered to pave way for setting up of shops that would stabilize the income source.
Neil Antonio War, EM in charge of Finance, replied that he would consider the suggestion for computerization of the Professional Tax department to ‘plug any leakage in Tax collection’.
On the suggestion for construction of a park, War said that the Council was trying to repair the Khasi Heritage Village at Mawphlang which has invited heavy tourists’ footfall over the years.
“The Management Committee will supervise the matter of the Heritage Village, and the Council has also constructed shops that which will bring in revenue,” he added.
War bemoaned the non-availability of schemes for the people saying it was due to non allocation of funds to the ADCs by the 14th Finance Commission.
On Thangkhiew’s observation to increase the fish population in the State, War replied that more fingerlings will be introduce in various ponds and with the collection of tax and entry of goods and through new acts that will be implemented shortly, the financial settings of the council would be improved.
Meanwhile, Thangkhiew lauded the efforts of Grace Kharpuri, EM in charge of Forests, for initiating rubber plantation, and suggested introduction of ginger plantation to further augment the income.
KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem also asserted that the Council will find ways and means to maximize the revenue.
He informed that he had directed the Executive Member in charge of Finance to look for resources to maximize the Council’s revenue and at the same time urged members of the House to put aside party affiliations and to work collectively.