KADAPA: R uling party and Opposition councillors had a wordy duel over the hike in house tax during Rajampet Municipal Council general body meeting on Thursday.

Telugu Desam Party councillors demanded rollback of the hike while the Municipal Commissioner maintained that the issue was under his purview. TDP members — Sudhakar and Subrahmanyam — accused Congress members and municipal officials of taking decisions unilaterally without apprising Opposition members.

Alleging discrimination in allotment of works and funds, they warned officials against partisan attitude and continued to bow to pressures from ruling party leaders.

Tax collection grew to Rs. 90 lakhs due to sincere efforts of civic staff, the Commissioner said and promised development of the municipality. Municipal Chairperson M. Srivani chaired the meeting.

CPI stages dharna

Meanwhile, CPI functionaries staged a dharna before the municipality's office demanding withdrawal of the hike. Abrupt enhancement of house tax from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 20,000 was arbitrary, party leader S.V. Subbarayudu said.

He called upon people not to pay the hiked tax or fear notices served on them.

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