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Taxation

Civic workshop to keep tax inspectors in top shape

Wednesday, 15 December 2010 11:35 administrator
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Indian Express   15.12.2010

Civic workshop to keep tax inspectors in top shape

sharvaripatwa Tags : Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, BMC, Joint Municipal Commissioner SS Shinde Posted: Wed Dec 15 2010, 03:21 hrs

 Mumbai :  To keep the fitness levels of its new recruits up to the mark, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is conducting a month-long physical and mental training workshop. The BMC recently recruited 160 tax inspectors and training for 100 tax inspectors began this month, said Joint Municipal Commissioner SS Shinde.

“We are conducting a physical training and mental fitness programme for the new recruits. The inspectors should be physically fit as they have to go around for collecting taxes,” said Shinde. “The job is never easy as most people are hesitant in paying taxes. One needs to not only have a fit body but a fit mind in order to perform the task that may be unpleasant and difficult at times,” said Shinde.

The training involves over an hour of running and jogging, physical exercises, yoga and meditation. The trainees will also be taught first-aid treatment, fire rescue tactics and how to tie different types of knots from ropes. Both men and women will be part of the training. There are around 35 women in the first batch. Training for the second batch is likely to begin soon.

Though the BMC does not have an official record of employees’ health problems, officials admit that many tax inspectors have suffered from lifestyle-releated and stress-related diseases.

“The work we do is highly stressfull as we work under threat from many parties including the mafia. Under these circumstances it becomes difficult for us to function normally and so many officials suffer from chest and heart disease,” said a tax collector.

Though the BMC does not have an official record of employees’ health problems, officials admit that many tax inspectors have suffered from lifestyle-releated and stress-related diseases.

“The work we do is highly stressfull as we work under threat from many parties including the mafia. Under these circumstances it becomes difficult for us to function normally and so many officials suffer from chest and heart disease,” said a tax collector.

 

MCC agrees to clear dues by January

Wednesday, 15 December 2010 07:03 administrator
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The Hindu  15.12.2010

MCC agrees to clear dues by January

Staff Correspondent

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

DEMAND:Contractors staging a dharna in front of the office of the commissioner of the Mysore City Corporation on Tuesday.

MYSORE: The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) Contractors' Association resolved to suspend their agitation, which entered the second day on Tuesday, with the MCC agreeing to clear bills pending for at least six months by the end of January.

The corporation has also agreed to release Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 3 crore on Wednesday towards the payment of dues.

The contractors had suspended all work for the past few days following non-payment of dues since January this year.

On Monday, the contractors staged a dharna at the office of the MCC Commissioner, protesting against the inordinate delay in clearing dues and later barged into the office of the Mayor after coming to know that Commissioner K.S. Raykar was out of station.

Mayor Sandesh Swamy held a meeting with the association members on Monday and promised to take up the issue with the Commissioner on his return.

Nearly 200 contractors gathered at the corporation office on Tuesday and staged a demonstration shouting slogans against the corporation and its officials.

The Mayor and the Commissioner, who returned on Tuesday, held a closed-door meeting with the contractors' association president and others and persuaded them not to hold protests any further as the corporation would clear the dues shortly.

Association president Chandrashekaraiah, vice-president Malakondaiah and other members participated in the meeting.

The contractors claimed that the bills amounting to Rs. 37 crore had not been paid since January this year.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 December 2010 07:05
 

MCD House meet disrupted over property tax hike

Tuesday, 14 December 2010 10:26 administrator
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Indian Express       14.12.2010

MCD House meet disrupted over property tax hike

Express News Service Tags : J K Sharma, MCD Commissioner K S Mehra Posted: Tue Dec 14 2010, 03:00 hrs

 New Delhi:  The proposed five-per cent hike in house tax led to an uproar by the Opposition Congress in the MCD House meeting on Monday, leading to adjournment of the meet minutes after it began. Peeved with the continuous adjournment of MCD House and Standing Committee meetings due to such disruptions, the civic body is planning to deploy marshals similar to what is followed in the Assembly and Parliament sessions.

While Congress councillors, under the leadership of J K Sharma, disrupted the House with slogans saying the ruling BJP pressurised MCD Commissioner K S Mehra into proposing the increase in taxes, BJP leaders opposed the allegation, saying they have already rejected the proposal.

Leader of the MCD House Subhash Arya said the Opposition creates an uproar in the meetings unnecessarily, leading to adjournments that hampers discussions on civic issues.

“There is no provision in any civic body for deploying marshals for the purpose. But in view of the forceful adjournments, it seems marshals will have to be deployed. Also, those who frequently disrupt House meetings and create a nuisance would be evicted immediately so that the proceedings can go smoothly,” said Arya.

The BJP-led MCD is now planning to approach the Lieutenant-Governor over the issue. “We will meet the L-G and also write to the Minister of Home Affairs in this regard,” said Arya. In his budget speech last week, Mehra had proposed a five-percent hike in property tax to address the financial woes of the civic body. Yogender Chandolia, BJP leader and Chairman of Standing Committee, had rejected the proposal immediately after his speech. He said:

“The BJP rejects the proposal. Instead we are trying to include more people in the tax net. Owners of only 9 lakh of 30 lakh properties pay tax.”

 
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