ELURU: Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretariat member Y. Venkateswara Rao on Tuesday said the urban reforms, initiated by the State Government in all municipal towns and cities in line with the `prescriptions' of the World Bank, were as `harmful' as power reforms that triggered violent protests during the previous regime of the Telugu Desam Party.

`New taxes likely'

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Rao said the reforms were aimed at the urban middle class and poorer sections by way of introducing new taxes. He alleged that the State Government had obtained a loan of Rs. 1,200 crores from the World Bank for initiating the urban reforms by accepting a charter of 10 `suggestions'. The charter included a `steep hike' in property tax, installation of water meters and levy of user charges, the CPI(M) leader said.

Mr. Venkateswara Rao said the State Government was preparing ground to increase property tax as part of fulfilling the World Bank conditions and the decision was quite likely to come into force from the next financial year. The government was contemplating mobilisation of Rs. 400 crores by way of increasing the property tax, he added. He said the CPI(M) was planning to launch a mass movement against the urban reforms.

Plea to Governor

Opposing the reported attempts by the government to tinker with the Andhra Pradesh Land Assignment Act, 1971, Mr. Rao urged the Governor not to give his assent to the ordinance proposed to be promulgated by the government in this regard. The amendments proposed to the Act in such a manner that they would lead to alienation of lands assigned to SCs.

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