The Times of India 03.02.2010
Corporators see red as MBMC plans new taxes
MUMBAI: Residents of Mira Road and Bhayander may just have to pay taxes for water supply, drainage facilities and a clean environment. The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has proposed four new taxes for the locals__water supply benefit tax, drainage facility tax, special cleanliness tax and road tax. This is in addition to the water and property taxes that residents of this region pay to the MBMC. The administration also proposes to increase the existing taxes.
As the proposal was placed before the standing committee of the MBMC on Tuesday, it was strongly opposed by the Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS. The proposal has now been referred to the civic general body.
The MBMC hopes to tide over its financial crunch with the proposed taxes. Civic officials said there was a need to raise Rs 1,976 crore to complete the various projects under the Jawarharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Reacting strongly to the proposal, Pratap Sarnaik of the Shiv Sena said that while the city was still reeling under the issue of garbage disposal, the civic administration has no right to tax the public with a special cleanliness tax. MNS member Arun Kadam hinted at an agitation if the new taxes were imposed.
Corporators argued that the civic administration was burdening the public with taxes on facilities that fall within its duty. Corporators said the drainage facilities in the region were pathetic and it would be foolish on the part of the corporation to tax the common public.
While residents will be expected to pay road tax, they lamented the poor condition of roads in the region. The civic administration has done zero work on repairs and maintenance of roads. On what basis should we then pay road tax, asked Mira Road resident Suraj Kaushik.
