Licence fee for small traders to be reduced

The Chennai Corporation has proposed a reduction in the licence fee for small traders.

Addressing the Corporation Council on Monday, Mayor M. Subramanian said “A large number of small traders, including those belonging to the weaker sections, will benefit from the proposed reduction of the trade licence fee.”

The licence fee for traders operating in shops with an area less than 500 sq ft would be reduced to Rs.500 from Rs.2,000. The council would pass a resolution in this regard and send it to the State government. Three slabs have been proposed for issuing trade licence, according to the new proposal. Earlier there were only two slabs for licence fee.

The revised licence fee for shops with an area of 501-1000 sq ft would be Rs.750 and for those with more than 1,001 sq ft area it would be Rs.3,000.

Incentive to taxpayers

As part of the measures to augment revenue, the civic body has proposed suitable statutory changes with respect to the provisions of the CCMC Act, 1919. This would include announcement of incentive for taxpayers who pay their tax on time and severe penalty for delayed payment.

The civic body has announced a cash incentive of Rs.1,000 for tax collectors who were able to collect 100 per cent of the property tax in their wards. Online assessment of property tax would also be launched. Facilitation centres for payment of property tax would be opened in 10 new localities. The civic body would also augment revenue by furnishing its community halls.

Jute bags

The Mayor said that the Corporation would distribute jute bags to residents as part of its initiatives to promote segregation of municipal waste. He said, “door-to-door collection of waste would be taken up by distributing jute bags instead of plastic bags.”

Walls would be constructed to around the Perungudi and Kodungaiyur dump yards. A 5.2 km boundary in Perungudi dump yard and 4.1 km in Kodungaiyur, would have new walls to prevent rag pickers in the nearby areas from polluting the environment, said Mr.Subramanian.

Each zone would have mechanical sweepers and a sand-sieving machine would be procured for Elliots Beach.

A new solid waste transfer station would be constructed in Alandur Road division 135 of Saidapet Zone. New waterless urinals would be constructed in many localities, said Mr.Subramanian.

Action would be taken to free sanitary workers and road workers from the clutches of private money lenders by extending loans from TAHDCO. Energy saving induction lights would be used in lighting of streets.