SMC octroi income down

Torrential rains in the state over the last few days have created a huge dent in the octroi income of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) as transportation of goods has been badly hit.

"The average daily octroi collection of SMC is in the region of Rs 1.10 crore. However, in the wake of the incessant rains, the daily octroi collection has slipped to Rs 55 to 60 lakh," Surat municipal commissioner Pankaj Joshi said.

"SMC has already suffered losses in the region of Rs 6 to 7 crore and the longer it takes for the situation to return to normal, the higher will be the losses," he added.

SMC deputy commissioner Pradeepsinh Jhala, who is in-charge of octroi department, said: "SMC's octroi income for the month of June stood at Rs 30 crore.

"This was higher than the income achieved in the same month in the previous year, but it was Rs 3 crore short of the month's target of Rs 33 crore."

"We would have easily achieved the monthly target, but for the rains. On account of the continuous rains, the highways were submerged under the waters, and several trains cancelled, paralysing transportation of goods, leading to the fall in the octroi income," Jhala said.

The deputy commissioner expressed confidence that these would not affect SMC's chances of achieving its octroi income target of Rs 380 crore for the year 2005-06.