[Vision2020] Tax collectors

[Ralph Nielsen]

Just what Moscow needs to collect taxes from boarding houses.
Ralph

>
> Cash-strapped Indian city hires eunuchs to help collect overdue taxes
>
> 20:53:29 EST Nov 9, 2006
> Canadian Press
> PATNA, India (AP) - One cash-strapped Indian city has launched a
> unique collection service to dislodge payment from tax deadbeats:
> Door-to-door eunuchs.
>
> Eunuchs, or men who lack external genitalia, are regarded as
> powerless in India and traditionally make a living on tips for
> dancing at weddings or blessing newborns. But they are also known for
> extreme stubbornness and Patna, the capital of Bihar state in eastern
> India, hired scores of them Wednesday to compel shop owners to pay
> their tax arrears.
>
> "We are confident that their reputation and persuasive skills will
> come in handy for the municipal authorities to collect taxes from
> defaulters," said Bharat Sharma, a revenue officer.
>
> Only 2,000 of nearly half a million people have been paying property
> tax and water supply charges to Patna's municipal authorities, and
> tax collection is less than one-third of a projected tax base of the
> equivalent of about (US)$15 million, said Atul Prasad, the municipal
> administrator.
>
> Dancing and singing to the beat of drums and wearing bright saris,
> the eunuchs met with success in their new role Wednesday. They
> collected about $9,000 in cash and checks from shop owners in the
> city, Sharma told The Associated Press.
>
> Revenue officials accompany the eunuchs with records to settle the
> outstanding dues on the spot. The eunuchs get 4 per cent of what they
> collect from defaulters.
>
> The eunuchs would be asked to help collect outstanding taxes from
> private homes soon, Prasad said.
>
> © The Canadian Press, 2006
>