Pune News: Maharashtra Govt Orders Review Over Property Tax Collection In 32 Merged Villages, PMC Yet To Make A Decision
Pune, October 16: On the day the election code of conduct was declared for the upcoming Maharashtra State Assembly elections, the state government made a significant decision regarding the 32 villages newly incorporated into Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The government has initiated a review of the property tax, which is currently set at twice the rate of the previous Gram Panchayat tax. Until this review is completed, the collection of property tax in these 32 villages has been temporarily suspended. A letter was issued by Priyanka Kulkarni Chhapwale, deputy secretary, urban development department, Maharashtra government .
In 2017, 11 villages were added to PMC, followed by another 23 in 2021, bringing the total to 34. However, with the exclusion of Fursungi and Uruli Devachi, the current count stands at 32 villages. Residents of these areas have expressed frustration, stating that despite paying higher taxes than under the Gram Panchayat, they receive inadequate services such as roads, water, sewage, and electricity.
Just hours before the election code of conduct came into effect, the state government issued revised orders suspending the collection of property taxes and pending dues. This decision followed complaints from local leaders, including MLA Bhimrao Tapkir and former MLA Vijay Shivtare, who advocated for the review of tax rates for these villages.
When Pune Pulse contacted Madhav Jagtap, deputy commissioner, Tax and Tax Assessment Department of Pune Municipal Corporation, he said, “The order will be discussed with the PMC commissioner and soon a decision would be taken on the property tax matter.”