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Taxation

Opposition puts Mayor on notice

Tuesday, 07 December 2010 04:50 administrator
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The Hindu      07.12.2010

Opposition puts Mayor on notice

Staff Reporter
It gives one week's time to him to reduce property tax

All-party delegation submits memorandum to Mayor

For 51,731 of 3.3 lakh assessments there is no increase, says Mayor

Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Making a point:Leaders of all political parties led by TDP district president Ayyanna Patrudu submitting a memorandum to Mayor P. Janardhana Rao in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Upping the ante on reduction of property tax that has been hiked, an all-party delegation has given a week's time to Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao for his decision after which they would go to people and intensify agitation including calling for a city bandh. They demanded that a general body meeting of the corporation be convened to discuss the issue and give a ruling on the hike.

The delegation that submitted a representation to the Mayor on Monday comprised TDP district president Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, its floor leader in GVMC Ch.V. Pattabhiram, MLA V. Ramakrishnababu, CPI(M) and CPI floor leaders Botta Eswaramma and A.J. Stalin and P.V.N. Madhav and T. Subbarami Reddy of the BJP.

Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu recalled that when an all-party had met the then Chief Minister K. Rosaiah he did not reject the plea for lowering the tax. While the Council wanted the tax to be capped at 50 per cent and passed a resolution to the effect, how demand notices could be issued exorbitantly increasing the tax, he asked.

Mr. Ramakrishnababu demanded that the Mayor should talk to the government and get the tax reduced.

Mr. Pattabhi said the revision petitions filed had to be disposed after visiting the applicant's premises and alleged it was being done in the office. The two demanded that the issue of demand notices be stopped.

CPI(M)'s Botta Eswaramma and K. Lokanadham wanted a halt to issuing of notices and the Council should discuss the issue again. The 2007 gazette rates should be implemented.

Mr. Stalin said the Chief Minister had not rejected the demand (for lowering the tax) but referred it to the Principal Secretary, MA &UD.

The Mayor said of the 3.3 lakh assessments in the city, for 51,731 there was no increase. For 85,747, the hike was between 51 per cent and 100 per cent, for 63,720 between 100 and 150 per cent, for 85,000 above 150 per cent. As many as 52,000 revision petitions were filed and they mainly related to plinth area.

Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai and Congress floor leader Behera Bhaskara Rao were present.

The delegation later met Commissioner V.N. Vishnu also.

 

Sewer scheme yet to take off, but locals pay tax

Monday, 06 December 2010 10:08 administrator
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The Times of India  06.12.2010

Sewer scheme yet to take off, but locals pay tax

MUMBAI: If you are a resident of Mira Road or Bhayander, you are being taxed for a service that is not yet available to you.

The Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has begun collecting 8% sewerage benefit tax from residents from the current financial year. But the Rs 525.79 crore underground sewerage scheme is still in its initial stages and residents are yet to benefit from the project.

Till date, only 8% of the project undertaken under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has seen the light of day. Residents, however, have started paying the tax, which was okayed by the general body of the MBMC on March 31, 2010. The project is being funded by the central and state governments along with the MBMC.

A Bhayander-based NGO, Siddhivinayak Marg Nivasi Seva Sanstha, has sent a notice to the state urban development department (UDD) to prevent the MBMC from collecting a tax, the benefit of which has still not reached the public.

"About 92% of the sewerage work in Mira-Bhayander is incomplete. It is illegal to collect tax for a facility that is not delivered," pointed out advocate Ganesh Sovani, a Bhayander resident, who will approach the Bombay high court on behalf of the sanstha to withdraw the tax.

Under the project, MBMC plans to provide underground sewerage facilities in the 24 sq-km area of the region. A total of 107 km of sewer lines will be laid and will include 10 pumping stations and 10 sewerage treatment plants with capacities ranging from 7 mld to 17 mld.

According to Prasad Gokhale of the sanstha, only 7 km of the pipeline has been laid at Bhayander (E) and Mira Road gaothan. Four plants have been set up on the eastern side of the region at Jesal Park, Shanti Nagar, Shanti Park and Shrushti Complex. No underground sewerage work has commenced at Bhayander (W).

Residents of Mira-Bhayander have also been burdened with cleanliness and drainage facility taxes and an increase in property tax.

Last Updated on Monday, 06 December 2010 10:10
 

Pay taxes by Dec 31 or go without water

Monday, 06 December 2010 10:02 administrator
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The Times of India         06.12.2010

Pay taxes by Dec 31 or go without water

LUCKNOW: With dwindling civic tax collection staring them in the face, municipal authorities have started an enforcement drive. Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has already attached properties of as many as four commercial establishments in Gomtinagar. And now Lucknow Jal Sansthan (now rechristened as Water Works Wing of LMC) is all geared up to cut water supply connections in case erring house owners do not pay their arrears.

Already, the LJS has started announcing the decision through loudspeakers in various zones of the city. Secretary, LJS, Raghuvendra Kumar said that the Sansthan has set a deadline of December 31, after which the enforcement would be carried out.

LJS sources said that only 50 per cent of the target revenue has been recovered from the house owners. Kumar said that essentially it is in the last four months that the rest of the revenue is recovered. Accordingly, the drive would be carried out in various zones of the state capital and the pending water tax dues would be recovered.

Sources said that each zone of the state capital is defaulting on a payment ranging between Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 5 crore. Interestingly, this is the payment which is due on the registered house owners. It does not take into account the number of illegal connections which often mar smooth water supply and in turn the revenue coming to the municipal body. The drive also stems from the possibility of an increased water tax at the start of next financial year. Linked to the house tax, the water tax is expected to increase by around 30 to 40 per cent.

However, the proposed hike has not gone down well with the municipal house which expressed its reservations over the issue in various meetings. Mayor Dinesh Sharma said that there was no point in increasing the water tax until proper and smooth water supply is not provided to the denizens.

 
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