The Indian Express             24.09.2013

Councillors reject proposal to impose property tax on 5 villages

The General House of the Municipal Corporation rejected a proposal to
impose property tax on five villages that were transferred to the civic
body in 2006. The five villages that were transferred were already
under the ambit of taxation. Councillors rejected the proposal on Monday
stating that since facilities provided to these villages were not
adequate, tax should not be imposed.

Villages where tax was to be imposed included Hallomajra,
Kajheri, Palsora, Maloya and Dadumajra. The proposal entailed inclusion
of these villages in Zone C with effect from September 19, 2006 i.e from
the date of notification vide which the villages were transferred to
the MC. A total of 2,862 units were to be covered. The tax imposition
was approved by the House Tax committee.

Councillor Darshan Garg who is a member of the House Tax
committee on Monday said the villages be given permission for holding
commercial activities. He added that the villagers who were pursuing
commercial activities on the ground floor and had residences above were
being charged commercial rates for water and electricity. He demanded
that they should be provided with separate meters for commercial and
domestic usage.

Municipal Commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh said property tax
notification was done in 2006 and the agenda was mooted only to decide
the amount of tax.

Councillors, however, said that they wouldn’t allow imposing the
tax. Councillor Malkit Singh said that the villages are not being
provided with proper facilities. He added that in the presence of the
panchayati system they could get work done faster. However, it is now
being delayed.

Councillor MP Kohli said that other villages should also be
exempted from tax if tax on these five villages are opposed. Deputy
Mayor Satish Kainth said that the village bye laws prepared by the
Administration should be passed and then decisions should be taken.