The Hindu          07.10.2014 

Proposed tax for garbage clearance draws flak

Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has opposed
the Madurai Corporation’s decision to levy service tax for garbage
clearance.

In a press statement, N. Jegatheesan,
president of the TNCCI, said a minimum of Rs.18,250 and maximum of
Rs.1,82,500 had been fixed by the civic bodies for clearance of garbage
every year. The tax to be imposed on lodges, hotels, marriage halls,
hospitals, markets, showrooms, shopping complexes, cinema theatres,
small-scale industries and commercial establishments was “ultra vires”
and would force several establishments to close shutters, he stated. Mr.
Jegatheesan said it was the bounden duty of the corporation to clear
garbage and collection of special tax for the purpose was “unethical and
untenable.” He requested the Mayor and the Corporation Commissioner to
withdraw the levy.