Port Blair, Feb 20: The Finance, Taxation & Accounts Committee of the Zilla Parishad South Andaman met under the Chairmanship of the Finance Member Shri Nipendra Nath. The Adhyaksha of the Zilla Parishad, Miss. Mariyam Bibi observed the proceedings. The Chief Executive Officer of the Parishad was also present.
The Committee deliberate upon the measures that needed to be undertaken for revenue generation since there is presently no source of revenue for the Parishad, and under GOI instruction, the Parishad is required to generate revene for seeking matching grant.
It was observed with regret that although the Zilla Parishad has constructed many assets, these had been handed over to the Gram Panchayat and the Panchayat Samitis. Many of the properties were in varying states of disrepair and even where they were in use, there were no earnings, accruing the Zilla Parishad.
The Committee also took note of the recent complaints pouring in from many sections of the population, that the Zilla Niwas of the South Andamans Zilla Parishad was in a state of neglect, and needed maintenance as well as facelift. the canteen of the Niwas was not serving good and wholesome food, and was closing at 8.00 PM, which was too early, and did not provide meals to guests, who often have to be working till late evening. Moreover, the canteen was not operating on Sundays. There were also complaints that some persons had blocked some of the rooms on long term basis and members of the Parishad being denied accommodation in the Niwas.
The Finance, Taxation & Accounts Committee therefore took the following decisions in the interest of revenue generation and for the proper utilization of the Zilla Niwas.
The Parishad would seek to resume all the properties constructed by its, which were currently under the custody and use of the Gram Panchayat and Samitis, so that they could be put to optimum utilization and generate income for the Parishad. Alternatively, the Parishad would press for being given 40% of the income earned from these properties.
On every liquor bottle sold in the rural area under its jurisdiction, the Parishad would seek to earn 50 paisa, which would be added to the cost of the bottle by ANIDCO and transferred to the Parishad. This will be done after consulting with A&N Administration.
One every truck leaving a quarrying site, the Zilla Parishad would seek a levy of Rs. 50/- as a charge. This measure was felt appropriate as it would not only bring revenue to the Parishad, but also check illegal quarrying operation. This will also be done after consulting with A&N Administration.
The room rent of the Zilla Niwas, which is currently pegged at Rs.100 per day for bed, would be raised Rs. 250/- for members of the PRI, Rs.300/- per day bed for Ex-PRI Members and suit rooms Rs.750/- per day per bed. These charges would be doubled upon expiry of seven (7) days of stay in the Niwas.
All guests would necessarily have to produce and file copies of identification documents upon occupation of the room. At a subsequent stage, entry into the rooms is proposed to be electronically regulated to ensure safety of facilities and check overstaying or other unauthorized use of the premises.
The revenue generation by these measures would be used to obtain matching government assistance, and the funds would be used for development activities in the public interest.
