Pune: AAP Protests Proposed 10% Property Tax Hike In PMC; Demands Tax Exemption For Homes Upto 500 sq ft
Pune: AAP Protests Proposed 10% Property Tax Hike In PMC; Demands Tax Exemption For Homes Upto 500 sq ft
Pune, February 6, 2026: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday staged a strong protest outside the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) office against the proposed 10 per cent increase in property tax included in the civic body’s draft budget for the financial year 2026–27.
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has presented the budget proposal for 2026–27, which includes a 10 per cent hike in property tax rates. The proposal has been placed before the Standing Committee for discussion. Opposing the move, AAP leaders and workers held a demonstration, stating that the proposed tax hike is unjustified at a time when ordinary citizens are already burdened by inflation and are not receiving adequate civic amenities.
AAP leaders also reminded the government of the election promise made during the municipal polls, wherein the BJP had assured complete property tax exemption for residential properties up to 500 square feet. The party demanded that this promise be fulfilled immediately and implemented in policy.
Highlighting financial irregularities, AAP pointed out that while a revenue target of ₹2,800 crore was set in last year’s budget, the administration has so far collected only around ₹2,200 crore. The party further alleged that several commercial properties are not being taxed, and that nearly ₹7,700 crore in outstanding dues is still pending. AAP leaders termed it “unfair and unacceptable” to impose an additional burden on honest taxpayers instead of recovering long-pending arrears.
During the protest, a formal memorandum outlining these demands was submitted to the Pune Municipal Commissioner.
Several AAP leaders and workers were present at the protest, including Mukund Kirdat, Sudarshan Jagdale, Shankar Thorat, Akshay Shinde, Subhash Karande, Sunil Sawadi, Kumar Dhongade, Satish Yadav, Sachin Alhat, Haridas Bhise, Vaishnavi Avchite, Gajanan Bhosale, Gunaji More, Shaine Attar, Mukesh Gaikwad, Avinash Bhakare, Anil Dhumal, Hrishikesh Marne, Shrikant Bhise, Shital Kandelkar, Suraj Sonawane, Tagatsingh Tawar, An Anish, Sagar Jha, Sanjay Kone, Fabian Samsang, Arun Kedari, Santosh Kale, Prashant Kamble, Nikhil Khandare, Nilesh Ravade, among others.
