Kolkata: The state govt has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) – including time-bound tax collection, follow-up action against defaulters and identification of alternative sources of income – for improving the revenue of gram panchayats. The govt has set panchayats an annual average revenue target of Rs 1,200 per household.The move assumes significance with the state expected to receive around Rs 2,521 crore through the 16th Finance Commission for the 2028-29 to 2030-31 financial years, largely as performance grants. One of the key conditions for accessing funds is a significant improvement in the panchayats’ revenue.According to officials, panchayats on average earn around Rs 233 per household annually.“Under the new SOP, gram panchayats will have to complete the tax collection process within three weeks of the deadline. Arrangements for offline payment of taxes will also have to be made wherever necessary. Panchayats have been instructed to prepare a list of those who fail to pay within the stipulated period,” a senior official said.The SOP also directs panchayats to explore alternative revenue sources. They have been directed to identify roads, bridges and ferry ghats where tolls can be collected.
