The Hindu : `Architect certificate not compulsory'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Architect certificate not compulsory'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 .The Municipal Commissioner, Rakesh Mehta, has said that no architect's certificate would be compulsory for property tax assessment under the new Unit Area System as was being assumed by many.

"Any documentary proof in the form of sanctioned plan or assessment order was sufficient document for the property assessment purposes under the new system being implemented from April 1."

"There are always apprehensions whenever a new system is introduced. Before implementing the new property tax assessment system in Delhi, critical evaluation of tax assessment in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Patna was done to find any flaw or problem with the new system. It was only after all aspects were studied minutely, the system was given a final go-ahead," Mr. Mehta said while addressing meeting organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday.

Responding to a question on the issue of high tax in industrial areas, Mr. Mehta said already the industrial areas were treated as one category lower than the adjoining areas. However, the Corporation was open to lowering the same by one more point in due course.

The Municipal Commissioner also said since there was no data available with regard to vacant land in the Capital, the same would not be taxed in the current assessment year. However, MCD would collect more data before levying any tax on vacant land.

Earlier in her address, PHDCCI's Delhi Committee Chairperson, Sushma Berlia, said while the new property tax system had taken into consideration a number of issues raised by the Chamber, certain fundamental concerns still remained unaddressed.

On the issue of calculation of built-up area on the basis of covered area, Ms. Berlia said the definition of covered area was arbitrary and would give rise to measurement problem. She suggested that to avoid confusion, the calculation of built-up area should be on the basis of carpet area.

Also, while calculating tax liability, areas like basements, garages, verandas and balconies need to be treated differently, she added.

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