Aurangabad, Jan 22:
Sensation prevailed after the municipal commissioner A K Pandey ordered to disconnect two illegal water supply connections of a food restaurant, in Cannaught Place, yesterday. Pandey had visited various commercial markets in Cidco-Hudco areas.
The collection of property tax and water tax is very poor this year. The total collection is just 15 per cent. As a result, the civic chief, dismissed the services of eight contract employees due to their poor performance in recovering the tax, two weeks ago. Later on, he ordered departmental inquiry (DE) against five regular employees. Despite taking actions, things did not improve as expected. As a result, Pandey himself decided to come on the road. Accordingly, he paid surprise visits to commercial markets in Cidco-Hudco areas on Thursday. During his visit, he found the absence of parking area in Akshaydeep Plaza, building near Cidco Bus Stand, and ordered the Town Planning officials to probe the matter.
Later on, the civic chief, found that Hotel Annapurna is enjoying water through two illegal water connections at Cannaught Place. The AMC team immediately disconnected the water connections. The deputy commissioner Aparna Thete has ordered to take action against the hotel owner.
Today, the Town Planning officials, have started the drive to check the parking areas of buildings to which it had issued building permissions.
It may be noted that the financial condition of AMC had deteriorated compared to last year due to poor collection of taxes. On the other hand, citizens are also not volunteering to pay their property and water taxes. The civic personnel are also not so serious in recovering the taxes to meet the given targets. Presently, the AMC exchequer deprives of money. Hence it is discouraging AMC from undertaking any development works and also meet day to day expenses.