The Hindu 07.12.2010
Opposition puts Mayor on notice
| It gives one week's time to him to reduce property tax |
All-party delegation submits memorandum to Mayor
For 51,731 of 3.3 lakh assessments there is no increase, says Mayor
Making a point:Leaders of all political parties led by TDP district president Ayyanna Patrudu submitting a memorandum to Mayor P. Janardhana Rao in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
VISAKHAPATNAM: Upping the ante on reduction of property tax that has been hiked, an all-party delegation has given a week's time to Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao for his decision after which they would go to people and intensify agitation including calling for a city bandh. They demanded that a general body meeting of the corporation be convened to discuss the issue and give a ruling on the hike.
The delegation that submitted a representation to the Mayor on Monday comprised TDP district president Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, its floor leader in GVMC Ch.V. Pattabhiram, MLA V. Ramakrishnababu, CPI(M) and CPI floor leaders Botta Eswaramma and A.J. Stalin and P.V.N. Madhav and T. Subbarami Reddy of the BJP.
Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu recalled that when an all-party had met the then Chief Minister K. Rosaiah he did not reject the plea for lowering the tax. While the Council wanted the tax to be capped at 50 per cent and passed a resolution to the effect, how demand notices could be issued exorbitantly increasing the tax, he asked.
Mr. Ramakrishnababu demanded that the Mayor should talk to the government and get the tax reduced.
Mr. Pattabhi said the revision petitions filed had to be disposed after visiting the applicant's premises and alleged it was being done in the office. The two demanded that the issue of demand notices be stopped.
CPI(M)'s Botta Eswaramma and K. Lokanadham wanted a halt to issuing of notices and the Council should discuss the issue again. The 2007 gazette rates should be implemented.
Mr. Stalin said the Chief Minister had not rejected the demand (for lowering the tax) but referred it to the Principal Secretary, MA &UD.
The Mayor said of the 3.3 lakh assessments in the city, for 51,731 there was no increase. For 85,747, the hike was between 51 per cent and 100 per cent, for 63,720 between 100 and 150 per cent, for 85,000 above 150 per cent. As many as 52,000 revision petitions were filed and they mainly related to plinth area.
Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai and Congress floor leader Behera Bhaskara Rao were present.
The delegation later met Commissioner V.N. Vishnu also.
