The commissioner had formed 58 flying squads to keep tab on New Year events and check if organisers obtained the required permissions and paid entertainment tax. One squad had four to five revenue officers headed by Deputy Collectors, Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars.
On New Year's Day, Mumbai suburban collectorate woke up richer by more than Rs1 crore, having earned the moolah in entertainment taxes levied on party organisers the night before. In fact, the single-day revenue in all of Konkan division was the highest in the state, totting up to roughly Rs 2 crore.
While the Mumbai suburban collectorate earned Rs1,01,96,427. Four other collectorates also recorded massive single-day revenues. Mumbai city collectorate earned Rs42,92,990, Thane Rs35,81,092, Palghar Rs2,71,050 and Raigad Rs1,17,425, Ratnagiri Collectorate RS69,940 and Sindhudurg Rs4,495.
Commissioner of Konkan division, Radheshyam Mopalwar, said, "We are here to generate revenue for the state exchequer, and have to make sure that there isn't any defaulters for any reason whatsoever. There are certain elements who want to pocket profits without paying taxes. These are people from the industry who don't want flying squads to make surprise visits. These people keep complaining to the government that they should be left to themselves. If we succumb to their unreasonable pressure, we will have no revenue."
The commissioner had formed 58 flying squads to keep tab on New Year events and check if organisers obtained the required permissions and paid entertainment tax. One squad had four to five revenue officers headed by deputy collectors, tehsildars and naib tehsildars.
Mopalwar added, "The flying squads are never unreasonable and their presence makes sure there is no revenue loss to the government. If we don't have a flying squad, the loss would be tremendous."
Shekhar Channe, collector, Mumbai suburban, said, "The hoteliers, clubs and event organisers are willing to pay entertainment tax on time. I made sure there wasn't any delay in granting permissions. Those who seemed like they would violate laws, we cautioned them through media publicity about our flying squads. All these factors helped generate a good revenue."
The collector's office had called a meeting of hoteliers and others organising events in Mumbai city, and almost all the organisers are believed to have attended it.
Sunil Bhutade, entertainment duty officer, suburban collectorate, said "During surprise visits by flying squads, we found that 21 organisers violated the entertainment tax rules. We have done spot panchnama and given them opportunity to furnish their version. Currently, hearings are going on and the outcome is awaited. Some more revenue is expected from defaulters."
All district collectors had issued circulars to hotels, clubs, gyms, auditoriums, halls and lawns where entertainment programmes were to be held, directing them to pay the tax and get approval for hosting parties.
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