CoPA orders tax hike on mini-hydros in Central Province

• Wants detailed report on 38 hydro plants  
• Demands separate report on teacher shortages in NE where 21 schools have not had a principal in 20 years
• Orders investigations on RDA General Manger who burned files to be expedited

The Committee on Public Account (CoPA) yesterday ordered the Central Provincial Council to increase the tax on mini-hydropower plants as the income received from the sector is a pittance.

CoPA also wanted the Central Provincial Council to take urgent measures to recover the long due Rs. 7.7 million tax from six mini-hydropower plants in Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat area. 

It was also decided a detailed report listing the names of owners, addresses, locations of the mini-hydropower plants, the current tax position and the basis considered to levy tax, and the electricity generated from 38 plants should be presented in CoPA.

Among the other matters discussed, CoPA pointed out that there was an excessive number of teachers in the Kandy zone while there were 21 schools in the Nuwara Eliya zone that had not had a single principal for over two decades. 

CoPA ordered the tabling of a detailed report before 25 September listing the 3,777 teachers employed in the Kandy division with the number of years they were attached to schools in difficult areas, the number of years remaining to retire from service, and the number of periods taught.

Meanwhile, the officers who were present before CoPA accepted the fact on 19 March, files of the Road Development Authority of the Central Province that were transported using three vehicles were set on fire inside the Mahawewa Forest Reserve as per the instructions of its General Manager. 

The CoPA wanted investigations conducted against the General Manager, who is now under suspension, expedited.