Deadlock over house tax between MC, admn leaves residents in a fix
Over seven months and three reminders later, the deadlock between the municipal corporation (MC) and UT administration over the charges of house tax continues.
Over seven months and three reminders later, the deadlock between the municipal corporation (MC) and UT administration over the charges of house tax continues.
Though the civic body has sent three reminders to the administration to approve fixation of house tax, the latter is yet to act. Meanwhile, residents continue to be clueless on how much tax they have to pay this year.
While issuing the notification of house tax in July last year, the UT administration had urged the MC to revise the tax within three months of notification. But, MC sent the proposal of same rate, which was charged last year, to the UT administration.
When contacted, MC joint commissioner Rajeev Gupta said, “We have sent administration three reminders for approval on the same rate as was applicable last year, but we are still waiting for administration's final approval.”
On the other hand, a senior officer of UT administration said, “We want MC to revise the rate as it too low in comparison to Punjab and Haryana. We have sent rates of all three states; Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab to UT administrator, who will take the final call.”
On July 4 last year, UT administration had notified house tax in Chandigarh at the rate of `1 per square yard for houses covering an area of 125 square yards or more. The administration had exempted houses having plot area less than 125 square yards, economical weaker section (EWS), low income groups (LIG) category and houses in villages falling within the limits of the MC.
Last year, when UT administration asked MC to revise the rates, MC formed a six-member committee under the chairmanship of Sunil Bhatia, additional commissioner, MC, and prepared the draft of revised rates, but the MC House rejected it.
Arvind Jain, president of Market Welfare Association, Sector 22, said, “Poor coordination between MC and UT administration has come to the fore. It is unfortunate that even after seven months, they are not able to decide on House tax, leaving residents in a fix.”