The Times of India 21.09.2009
Municipal corporation divided over house tax agenda
CHANDIGARH: Reverberations of discord on the issue of house tax between municipal corporation (MC) authorities and elected councillors are growing
by the day. Even as the corporation wants to start imposing house tax and include it in the agenda of the forthcoming monthly general house meet for approval, almost all elected councillors don't seem willing to even discuss it in the house.
Inquiries made by The Times of India revealed that the civic body authorities had been contemplating to introduce house tax for residential properties in the city from the past many years.
However, politically-motivated councillors had been regularly opposing the move every time it cropped up for discussion in the house. But this time, the MC has decided to include it in the agenda for the next house meet and the proposal has been forwarded to mayor Kamlesh for approval.
A senior corporation official said, "We have sent the agenda items to the mayor and are awaiting her nod. But, according to our MoU with the Centre, MC needs to generate financial resources to seek funds under the JNNRUM scheme."
He further said, "We cannot wait for long to introduce the house tax or hike the water tariff to avail JNNRUM funds. We may lose on that account."
Meanwhile, councillors from the ruling Congress and the opposition are against imposition of house tax. Stating that she was opposed to the move, mayor Kamlesh spoke in a diplomatic tone, "Let the issue come to me for inclusion in the agenda."
Echoing a similar view, former mayor and SAD-BJP councillor Harjinder Kaur said she too did not favour its imposition. However, contrary to this, senior nominated councillor Dr AP Sanwaria said it was a welcome step. He said, "If we want Central grant under the JNNRUM scheme, we need to impose the mandatory house tax and increase water tariff."
Opposing the move, senior BSP councillor Jatinder Bhatia argued, "What's the need to introduce house tax in UT. It will unnecessarily burden residents. Our authorities have enough funds to run the administration."
Sources said under the prevailing circumstances, it seems quite unlikely that the issue of house tax will come up for discussion in the meeting.
A civic body official said, "The UT administration should intervene in the matter. We cannot afford to lose financial aid under the JNNRUM scheme."
Inquiries made by The Times of India revealed that the civic body authorities had been contemplating to introduce house tax for residential properties in the city from the past many years.
However, politically-motivated councillors had been regularly opposing the move every time it cropped up for discussion in the house. But this time, the MC has decided to include it in the agenda for the next house meet and the proposal has been forwarded to mayor Kamlesh for approval.
A senior corporation official said, "We have sent the agenda items to the mayor and are awaiting her nod. But, according to our MoU with the Centre, MC needs to generate financial resources to seek funds under the JNNRUM scheme."
He further said, "We cannot wait for long to introduce the house tax or hike the water tariff to avail JNNRUM funds. We may lose on that account."
Meanwhile, councillors from the ruling Congress and the opposition are against imposition of house tax. Stating that she was opposed to the move, mayor Kamlesh spoke in a diplomatic tone, "Let the issue come to me for inclusion in the agenda."
Echoing a similar view, former mayor and SAD-BJP councillor Harjinder Kaur said she too did not favour its imposition. However, contrary to this, senior nominated councillor Dr AP Sanwaria said it was a welcome step. He said, "If we want Central grant under the JNNRUM scheme, we need to impose the mandatory house tax and increase water tariff."
Opposing the move, senior BSP councillor Jatinder Bhatia argued, "What's the need to introduce house tax in UT. It will unnecessarily burden residents. Our authorities have enough funds to run the administration."
Sources said under the prevailing circumstances, it seems quite unlikely that the issue of house tax will come up for discussion in the meeting.
A civic body official said, "The UT administration should intervene in the matter. We cannot afford to lose financial aid under the JNNRUM scheme."
