The Hindu : New Delhi News : Proposed licence fee hike flayed

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Saturday, Jul 12, 2008
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New Delhi

Proposed licence fee hike flayed

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Leader of the Opposition J. K. Sharma on Friday criticised the revised policy for grant of trade and storage licences proposed at a meeting of the MCD Standing Committee this past week.

Accusing the BJP of increasing the licence fees, Mr. Sharma said: “There is a proposal for a 30 per cent increase in the licence fee every year which is unjustified. Ever since the BJP came into power in the MCD, taxes are being constantly increased causing extra burden on the citizens who are already facing difficulties due to rise in prices of essential commodities.”

In a statement, Mr. Sharma said first the toll tax rates were increased and the practice of issuance of monthly passes was abolished. “Transporters were in a fix and indirectly the burden was shifted to citizens by way of rise in prices. Thereafter, parking rates were also increased which was an additional burden on the citizens. Later property tax rates were increased but due to strong protest by the Congress the increased rates were withdrawn. Property tax payers faced harassment while depositing their property tax as the online system of depositing property tax collapsed for many weeks.”

“It is,” he charged, “a clear-cut proof of inefficient administration and failure of the BJP on all fronts.” He demanded that the proposed fee hike on trade and storage licences be taken back and the toll tax and parking rates be decreased.

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