THE Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Anna Regina Town Council has taken a decision to stop all credit to stallholders and vendors in the Anna Regina and Bush Lot markets, from January 1.The matter, concerning an outstanding amount of some $7M owed to the Council by some vendors and stallholders, was raised at the first statutory meeting this year on January 2.

Councillor Rajendra Prabhuall called on the IMC to apply the Market By-Laws which state that the tenancy of every stall shall be on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and the rent thereof shall be payable in advance.
He stated that when the IMC came into existence, it inherited the huge debt in which some vendors and stallholders are indebted millions of dollars for the rental of stalls, tables and spots.
Prabhulall said the IMC made several efforts to collect the outstanding amounts but payments were made very slowly by the defaulters.
He demanded that the IMC take a very firm stand and set a three weeks period for the collection of the entire $7M outstanding.

SORE ASPECT
Prabhulall said another sore aspect in the collection of revenue is where another $7M is due in market fees, that was also inherited by the IMC.

He said the problem was discussed on many occasions at meetings of the council and with defaulters who promised to pay up but the payments are very small as compared to the huge debt.
Prabhulall urged drastic measures be taken to recover the outstanding amount.
Meanwhile taxpayers within the town have some $18M outstanding for 2013 and he claimed the municipality is suffering financially as no action is taken early to collect this year’s revenue and the arrears.
He said the poor collection of rates and taxes last year caused serious financial problems at the Council.
The Councillor suggested that demand notices be dispatched early to defaulters so rates and taxes can be collected promptly.