‘Don’t levy house tax on unauthorised colonies’

Giving major relief to the residents of more than 1,600 unauthorised colonies, lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna asked Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) not to levy any house tax on them as the government provides basic amenities in these colonies. HT reports.

Giving major relief to the residents of more than 1,600 unauthorised colonies, lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna asked Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) not to levy any house tax on them as the government provides basic amenities in these colonies.

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The LG’s directions came after a delegation of senior Congress leaders led by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Jai Prakash Aggarwal met him personally and sought his immediate intervention.

The Congress leaders demanded review of the MCD decision to collect property tax as residents of most unauthorised colonies were living sans the basic amenities of potable water and good sewer and drainage system.

“These colonies are sans any civic amenities. Water supply is missing, electricity has not reached them, and there are no drainage and healthcare facilities. The civic body has no right to impose tax on them. The LG also accepted the MCD decision to collect property tax from unauthorised colonies was wrong and immediately directed senior MCD officials to stop sending notices to them,” Aggarwal said.

The Congress legislators had also passed a motion under the private members prerogative in Delhi Assembly’s last session

Aggrawal said even MPs, MLAs and municipal councillors were not allowed to use their funds for development works in unauthorised colonies, and as a result, residents in these colonies were living in miserable conditions.