Karnataka - Bangalore   

BJP for roll back of fee hike

BANGALORE: Opposing the arbitrary decisions taken by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner S. Subramanya and Administrator Dilip Rau, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday staged a protest demonstration in front of BBMP head office.

Criticising the decisions, including the recent hike in building licence fee, ground rent, the new taxation system based on the capital value of a building and reintroduction of betterment fee, the members led by the former Minister R. Ashok and other BJP leaders demanded that the new and increased levies be rolled back.

“BBMP officials are misusing their powers as the State is under President’s Rule. In the absence of an elected body, the Commissioner is functioning like a dictator. This is clearly evident in the manner in which the officials are pasting stickers and boards on the doors and walls of properties, whose owners have not paid the tax or have not exhibited the construction plan,” Mr. Ashok said.

By doing this, the Commissioner is indirectly encouraging his officials to collect bribes from gullible citizens, S. Prakash, BJP spokesperson said.

The members also wanted Governor Rameshwar Thakur to appoint a permanent Administrator at the civic body, who could pay full attention towards citizens’ grievances and resolve them. The present Administrator has to juggle between the Energy Department and BBMP as he also heads the other department, the members pointed out.

Several former corporators including N. Mangala, Gangabhyraiah, Nagaratna, Venkatesh Murthy and other leaders shouted slogans against the BBMP Commissioner and Administrator. They also submitted a memorandum to the Administrator, who assured them he would forward it to the Governor.

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