The Hindu 20.02.2010
TDP holds demo against hike in taxes
Staff Reporter
| ‘Common man already burdened by spiralling prices of essentials’ |
No need for hike in property tax, say party leaders
Tax exemption to Gangavaram port opposed
Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam 
Making a point: TDP district convener Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu distributing pamphlets during the party’s protest at the Jagadamba Juction on Friday.
VISAKHAPATNAM: Telugu Desam activists staged a demonstration at Jagadamba junction on Friday in protest against the steep hike in municipal taxes. The protest was led by TDP district unit convener Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Telugu Mahila leader Vani and party corporators. They denounced the 50 per cent hike in property tax at a time when the common man was already overburdened by the spiralling prices of essential commodities.
They said the annual property tax for a house before Visakhapatnam became Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) in 2005 was Rs. 233. It was hiked to Rs.748 after 2006 and after March 31 this year it would become Rs. 1,122. They noted that the area of the corporation before 2005 was 110 square km and after it became GVMC its area increased to 533 sq. kms.
The increase in area would mean a corresponding increase in revenue. Industries and SEZ s were expected to contribute two per cent of their net profits to the local bodies for development. Even if they contributed one per cent, it would amount to Rs.248 crores. Taking all these into consideration there was no need for a hike in property tax. The tax exemption given to Gangavaram Port was depriving the GVMC of an annual income of Rs.10 crores.
The party workers distributed pamphlets to passers-by giving figures of the hike in taxes and the various options available to the GVMC to increase its revenue without taxing the people.
