Patna Municipal Corporation has adopted a unique method of utilising the eunuchs to collect taxes from the defaulters.
These eunuchs will act as government's agents to collect municipal corporation dues from 'stubborn' shopkeepers and house owners in various localities in Patna. Eunuchs have succeeded where the officials failed to deliver results. The eunuchs managed to collect Rs 4.5 lakh from defaulters on their first day on the job.
"Tax jama karo, hum sarkar ki taraf se bol rahe hain. Ghar neelam mat karwao (Pay the taxes, we are requesting on behalf of the government. Do not force the officials to auction your houses)," Pooja, a eunuch, yelled at the shopkeepers while her companions clapped and danced to the beats of the 'Dhols'.
"Our leader Kali Hijra was approached by the government and she gave us the job," Basanti said. Many shopkeepers were shocked, while, others took it sportingly.
"If we do not give money immediately these
However, a few irked businessmen have objected to such a move.
"This is very objectionable," an angry M Khan, another shopkeeper, said when the eunuchs arrived at his shop. However, PMC officials hope this drive will definitely bear fruits and say that it will continue till no defaulters are left.
PMC commissioner Atul Prasad described the event as a big leap towards boosting the civic body's revenue collection. "Despite our routine efforts in the past, the number of defaulters kept rising," he said, justifying the service of eunuchs.
"There are an estimated 5 lakh holdings under PMC but only 1.75 lakh are registered from whom Rs 20 to 22 crore is annually recovered as holding tax. If all the 5 lakh holdings pay their taxes properly, PMC's revenue will increase up to Rs 60 to 70 crore," he added.
