Property tax not to be linked to collector rates: Sukhbir

The Punjab government on Wednesday decided to review the collector rates of land in the state and said that the property tax will not be linked to the collector rates.

The Punjab government on Wednesday decided to review the collector rates of land in the state and said that the property tax will not be linked to the collector rates.

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The decision comes after the SAD-BJP drubbing in the recent polls and property tax was a major issue that contributed to it.

The SAD's coalition partner, the BJP, has been crying hoarse on the issue alleging that its poor handling by the government had sent a wrong signal to the people, which reflected in the poll results.

Before beginning the session on the second day of the poll results review meeting with party workers and leaders, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal said, "Ours is people's government and it can amend certain policies in case they don't suit the common man." During the first day's session, local-level party workers had told Sukhbir that the issue of property tax should be sorted without delay.

Sukhbir said, "Property tax needs to be simplified and rationalised to make it realistic and easy on the taxpaying public." He directed the departments concerned to rationalise the collector rates and property tax.

Sukhbir asked the financial commissioner (revenue) to direct all deputy commissioners to involve elected representatives, social workers and organisations for a comprehensive feedback on changes in collector rate structures and property tax.