The SAD-BJP government should withdraw the ordinance on imposition of property tax in the state and bring the matter for discussion in the Vidhan Sabha during the winter session, demanded former Bholath MLA and senior Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Wednesday.
"The proposed property tax is draconian and harsh in nature ranging from 1% on residential properties to 10% on hotels in the state," he said. "People of the state are already reeling under severe circumstances of inflation and costly living. Burdening the common citizen further with such punitive taxes would only add to their woes," he added.

Condemning the unfair and unrealistic taxes being imposed on marriage places, Khaira said at the moment this was the only industry that was flourishing and generating revenue for the state. "All other industry has taken flight to states like Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat owing to poor infrastructure, lack of power and red-tapism by the Punjab government. Such stringent measures would only force marriage palace owners to close their units," Khaira said.

"Instead of imposing such huge taxes, the government should adopt austerity measures and cut down on wasteful expenditure. There is no need to buy a new helicopter worth Rs. 45 crore nor build a heliport at Badal village worth Rs. 100 crore. There is also no need to buy SUV jeeps for ministers or give Rs. 1 crore of tax payers' money to elite schools like Sanawar," Khaira added.