KOLKATA: If you have just mo-ved to Kolka-ta, you couldn’t have come at a better time than pre-election season in Bengal. It’s raining sops. On Sunday, newly elected mayor Sovan Chatterjee announced sweeping cuts in civic taxes that will “benefit 75% residents of Kolkata”, apparently without affecting KMC’s revenue. For old-timers in the city, it’s a bonanza, no less.

The announcement came soon after railway minister Mamata Banerjee announced a new station at Ballygunge siding near Bondel Gate, named after Bahadur Shah Zafar.

“Didi has taught us how to keep revenue intact without charging passengers more. We shall follow her model. The middle and lower-middle classes will benefit from our tax cuts. Not only will we not charge any water tax from residents, we shall also reduce taxes for nearly 75% Kolkatans,” Chatterjee said at the railway programme.

According to sources, KMC plans to set up an experts’ committee to formulate a new tax collection plan. Property tax, for instance, is collected on rent or annual valuation basis. This may change.

The present board wants to carry out the evaluation on ‘unit basis’. Apart from the built-up area, aspects such as locality and facilities enjoyed by residents will be taken into account during the valuation. Officials agree that many residents will benefit but feel that 75% is too ambitious a figure.