Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation ward officers to collect trade licence fees

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to entrust its ward officers with the collection of trade licence fees.
The move came after the civic failed to collect even half the trade licence fee target of Rs 14.82 crore set for 2022-23. The collection of licence fee from vendors and shopkeepers during 2022-23 was Rs 4.68 crore.
The matter was discussed during the last meeting of the licence and appeals standing committee where it was decided that the officers will be entrusted the collection of the fees. The ward officers are looking after holding tax collection.
“We have analysed the issue and found that the collection was very low. It is mainly due to a failure in reaching the traders. We have an online system in place for the trade licence fee payment, but not many are evincing interest in voluntary payment,” chairman of the committee Premananda Jena said.
He said the committee has decided to seek approval from the state government for the appointment of more ward officers. “Presently, one ward officer is looking after the affairs of two to three wards due to unavailability of manpower,” he said.