The Hindu 24.09.2009

New property tax discount proposed

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: To increase revenue flow to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and give monetary benefits to taxpayers who pay their property tax after the first trimester ending June 30, the civic authorities have decided to introduce a new discount.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the MCD Standing Committee here on Wednesday.

According to Standing Committee chairman Ram Kishan Singhal, the MCD at present offers a 15 per cent discount to only those who file their property tax returns between April 1 and June 30 of the financial year: “But we are now proposing that a discount of 10 per cent and 5 per cent be given to all those taxpayers who file their tax in the subsequent trimesters ending September and December respectively.”

“The discount will give the late taxpayers who file their tax after June an incentive to file their taxes throughout the year instead of waiting for March next to do the same. This will also ensure regular flow of revenue to the MCD from tax receipts throughout the year,” he added. The civic agency’s executive wing initially had reservations over whether such discounts could be provided within the ambit of the existing Delhi Municipal Act, 1957, but after being cleared by the Standing Committee on Wednesday the Municipal Commissioner agreed to implement it after the proposal was cleared by the MCD House as well.

As part of its existing amnesty scheme launched earlier this month, the civic body is already providing full waiver of penalty and interest on outstanding payment to defaulters who pay their property tax dues before October 31 this year.

The Hindu 24.09.2009

MCD approves Jama Masjid re-development plan

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: After having been in the pipeline for over four years, the last hurdle in re-development of the historic Jama Masjid here was cleared on Wednesday with the MCD Standing Committee approving the project.

The MCD had earlier faced criticism for its original plan which mentioned an underground parking and heritage malls. But all this has now been done away with and the Delhi Urban Arts Commission has given the go-ahead to the MCD. The plan was submitted to the Delhi High Court which too cleared it about two weeks ago.

Architect Pradeep Sachdeva made a presentation during the meeting of the MCD Standing Committee.

MCD officials said the work would start by this year-end as a detailed project report is yet to be prepared.