A delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) headed by local party president Vijay Singh met with chief secretary Rajeev Verma on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum demanding immediate roll-back of hiked in property tax in the city.
Property tax, initially introduced in 2004 at 3% of the annual rateable value (ARV) for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, was extended to residential properties in 2015. Ever since, despite nearly a decade of inflation and the civic body’s growing financial strain, the rates remained unchanged, until now. According to the administration’s latest notification, residential property tax will now be charged at 9% of ARV— three times the previous rate, while commercial and industrial property tax will rise to 6% of ARV—double the earlier rate.
In addition to the property tax issue, the AAP Chandigarh president also urged the administration to increase old-age and widow pensions, highlighting the urgent need to support vulnerable sections of society with adequate financial assistance.
The delegation also pressed for a comprehensive policy to ensure job security for contractual workers, many of whom have been serving for years without basic rights or future assurance.
{{/usCountry}}The delegation also pressed for a comprehensive policy to ensure job security for contractual workers, many of whom have been serving for years without basic rights or future assurance.
{{/usCountry}}It is worth noting that these concerns were formally presented in the previous meeting of the UT administrator’s advisory council.