Indian Express 19.11.2009
Property tax sop for retired soldiers draws praise
PCMC committee says civic chief would invoke special powers to approve initiative
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has decided to provide 100 per cent concession in property tax to retired soldiers of the Indian armed forces — a move that has drawn praise from all quarters. Though the PCMC standing committee on Tuesday took the decision, it will first require approval from the general body meeting and finally the state government nod. Civic activists said PCMC should implement the decision without waiting for state government approval as it involves honouring our soldiers who contributed their might for the nation.
The PCMC administration had proposed that 50 per cent concession should be given to those retired soldiers who hold properties up to 1,500 square feet. However, the standing committee decided to grant cent per cent concession to the retired soldiers. Standing committee chairman Dnyaneshwar Bhalerao said, “This is just a small step for soldiers who guard our lives and our nation’s borders. Whatever we do for them is just a tip of the iceberg. The soldiers make the supreme sacrifice for the nation and they deserve all our support,” he said. As to why the same facility was not extended to serving soldiers, Bhalerao said that is because serving soldiers get salaries and all other benefits which are not applicable to the retired soldiers.
PCMC assistant municipal commissioner (tax department) Shahaji Pawar said such a plan already exists in Thane. “We have spoken to the officials in Thane Municipal Corporation and they have confirmed that their civic body had approved the plan and sent it to the state government for approval,” he said. Another assistant municipal commissioner Sudhakar Deshmukh said the administration had proposed 50 per cent property tax rebate, but the standing committee decided on cent per cent. “Now the proposal will be placed before the general body. After the GB gives its sanction, it will have to be okayed by the state government before approval.”
Welcoming the first step, District Army Welfare officer Col S Karazghi said,”But the implementation of the plan has not come into reality so far. This happened in case of Pune Municipal Corporation which had approved the concession plan for soldiers and is still awaiting the state government nod.” PCMC standing committee chief Bhalerao said they were determined to implement the scheme. “We will not await for approval from the state government. The municipal commissioner can invoke special powers vested in him. We will impress upon the commissioner to do so in the larger interest of our soldiers,” Bhalerao said.
Pawar said the criteria for retired soldiers availing of the benefit of the scheme includes residential proof of Pimpri-Chinchwad and pension card of the central government. Hailing PCMC’s move, D G Baliga, a retired Air Force personnel from Pimpri, said the decision will especially benefit hundreds of retired foot soldiers staying in Pimpri-Chinchwad. “Every defence personnel who is on pension and especially the foot soldiers and their families will benefit a lot. The PCMC should go ahead and implement the decision,” said Baliga who is a resident of Pimpri-Chinchwad for nearly 30 years.
Activist-turned-corporator Maruti Bhapkar, who generally is critical of all standing committee decisions, said, “I welcome the decision. Sometimes the standing committee takes appropriate decision. Now, the commissioner should invoke his powers to provide full concession to retired soldiers,” he said.
Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma, who is on leave, was not available for comment.
