The Times of India 15.02.2013
CM told to stay new property tax system
MUMBAI: With voices of dissent against the new property tax regime introduced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) growing, a demand for a stay on the regime has now been made to the state government.Sanjay Nirupam, member of parliament, north Mumbai, on Thursday asked CM chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to order a stay. Raising the demand during a meeting of MPs convened by Chavan ahead of Parliament's budget session of the Parliament, Nirupam said that citizens across segments were objecting to the rise in property tax bills. under the new regime.
He added that further said that the BMC took three years to finalize the tax rate, but had barely given citizens 21 days to respond to bills. Sanjay Patil, MP, North-East Mumbai, echoed Nirupam's concerns.
Gurudas Kamat, MP, north west Mumbai, meanwhile raised the issue of deemed conveyance for societies. Citing the instance of one residential society in his constituency, Kamat alleged that there was widespread corruption in issuance of deemed conveyance.
Nirupam endorsed Kamat's views. Kamat also criticised the delay in various Metro projects. He blamed the state government for delays in the Churchgate-Virar elevated railway corridor project. Eknath Gaikwad, MP, South Central Mumbai, criticised the delay in the Dharavi redevelopment project.
Union minister and South Mumbai MP Milind Deora was also present for the meeting. Priya Dutt, MP, North Central Mumbai, remained absent.
