Sikkim Mail
Gangtok: November 10, 2011

Mayor, KN Topgay clarified regarding toll tax and parking fee confusion which was bothering the business communities of Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) under Zone III since a month.

Speaking to Sikkim Mail he said that the actual confusion was regarding collection of parking fee. The zonation for car parking in capital is carried out in three division and the rates for parking is also fixed on the basis of the type of vehicle parked. A tender is called on yearly basis for giving the contract of each parking zone to a private party. The highest bidder gets the contract, the contractor after surveying the shops falling under his zone provides a receipt of parking to the shop owners for collecting the fees on a monthly basis which is a private arrangement between the contractor and the vehicle owners and GMC is not involved in the exercise.

While tracing the root of the confusion the officials of GMC found out that some of the shops belonging to businessman of zone III are located very close to zone I parking premises due to which the collector of parking fees of zone I out of confusion demanded for parking fees from them, creating this whole confusion. But the problem has been solved by the GMC officials.

Informing about toll tax Mayor stated that the zonation of toll tax has not been conducted yet and the rates are also specified by Urban Development and Housing Department (UD&HD) in respect to collection of toll taxes. Tender for the same is also invited but Gangtok till Deorali is one unit whereas there are other two units that falls under GMC which are Tadong unit and Ranipool respectively. The rates for toll tax
collection have been already fixed by Urban Development and Housing Department (UD& HD) and the authorized individual collects the taxes on the basis of goods, items listed and the volume of goods. The rates fixed by UD&HD under toll tax are applicable in all the notified bazaars across state whereas the parking fees collection varies from town to town.

Further the Mayor also appealed to the people falling under GMC that in case of any confusion or problems relating to taxes, fees levied by GMC they can approach the nearest councilors or can even approach the GMC office at any point of time for timely solution.

 

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