No tax relief for 32 merged villages; PMC decision angers Pune residents
No tax relief for 32 merged villages; PMC decision angers Pune residents
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to continue charging property tax at standard rates in the 32 newly merged villages, without offering any relief to residents. This move is expected to generate an additional ₹150 crore in revenue for the civic body.
Despite a previous directive from the state government before the assembly elections to halt tax collection in these areas, PMC officials stated that no further instructions were received. Consequently, the civic administration will proceed with tax collection based on existing municipal rates. “Property tax bills will be issued soon as per standard calculations,” said Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP.
Residents have voiced their dissatisfaction, arguing that the state government’s earlier announcement now appears to have been a pre-election promise. Many claim that the hike in property tax—rising from ₹2 per square foot annually under the Gram Panchayat to ₹2 per month under PMC—has significantly increased their financial burden.
Citizens’ groups have criticized the decision, stating that despite paying higher taxes, they continue to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, water shortages, and poor roads. They are urging authorities to improve civic amenities before enforcing the revised tax structure.
