The Hindu 15.12.2009
MCD may retain dog tax
Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which had earlier given its approval for waiving off dog tax in its budget estimate for the year 2009-10, is now reconsidering its decision.
A proposal to retain the present dog tax of Rs.5 is being tabled in the civic body’s Standing Committee meeting this coming Wednesday.
According to the MCD, under Section 136 of Delhi Municipal Act, 1957, there is a provision for tax on animals including dogs.
At present, an amount of Rs.20 including Rs.15 for a dog token and Rs. 5 for dog tax is being charged from pet dog owners.
As per the earlier approval to waive off the dog tax, the Municipal Commissioner had directed the officials to examine its other implications. It was further stated that the waiving of the dog tax would require amendment in the DMC Act which would be a cumbersome process. The civic body also submitted that the dog tax was a pre-requisite for registration of dogs and with pet owners belonging mostly to the “affluent” category, they could easily bear the tax for keeping pet dogs.
