The Hindu : New tax method passed without discussion, alleges BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

New tax method passed without discussion, alleges BJP

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 9. Alleging that the House of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Monday passed the Unit Area Method for assessment of property tax without discussion, the Leader of the Opposition, Subhash Arya, today urged the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor, Vijai Kapoor, to rescind the proposal passed by the MCD to the civic body for deliberations.

In a letter written to Mr. Kapoor, Mr. Arya alleged that the passing of such an important proposal, without any discussion was "a murder" of democracy. Contesting the claims of the ruling Congress leaders in MCD that the new system as people-friendly, he asked: "If this is the case, then why the civic body is refraining from discussion?"

"Despite the fact that the BJP Councillors asked for a debate on the issue, the agenda item was passed in a hurry," he said. In his letter, Mr. Arya reiterated that the Unit Area Method would result in several times increase in house tax of a large number of property owners, which would hit the poor and the middle-class the most.

He alleged that the MCD had also reduced the rebate announced to the various sections of the society particularly women, senior citizens and specially challenged people. Also the rebate for timely payment of house tax has been reduced from 15 per cent to 10 per cent, he alleged.

However, the MCD Standing Committee Chairman, Mukesh Goel, in a statement refuted the allegations and claimed that there has been no reduction in rebates. "Under Unit Area, women, senior citizens and physically challenged shall be entitled to a house tax rebate of 30 per cent up to a maximum of 100 sq. for self-occupied properties."

"All the property owners who pay their house tax in one instalment before June 30 would be entitled for a rebate of 15 per cent," he asserted. He alleged that the BJP was making a political issue out of it.

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