State urban dept orders PCMC to suspend utility tax collection

By: Pune Pulse

December 20, 2023

Pune: The Maharashtra Urban Development Department has ordered the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation ( PCMC) to suspend the collection of utility tax from the property holders of Pimpri Chinchwad. So, the common people of Pimpri-Chinchwad have got relief.

Mahesh Landge, MLA, Bhosari Constituency said, “The utility tax implemented in 2019 was collected by the municipal administration in 2023. Interest was also charged on it. The laxity of the administration was affecting the common people. But we continued to follow up from time to time during the monsoon session and beyond. So, the State Urban Development Department gave an order giving relief to the Pimpri-Chinchwadkars as it has suspended the collection of utility tax.”

Sanjeevan Sangale, President, Chikhali-Moshi-Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Society Federation said, “The state government took an important decision to suspend the collection of utility tax imposed by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Administration on the property holders of the city. MLA Mahesh Landge brought the attention of the state government to this in the Nagpur winter session. We followed up with PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh to resolve this issue. He also gave a positive response. Everyone’s pursuit has finally paid off. Thanks to the State Urban Development Department for suspending the collection of utility tax imposed on common Pimpri-Chinchwadkars.”

In the monsoon session in Mumbai, MLA Landge had demanded that utility tax collection in Pimpri-Chinchwad should be cancelled. It was being followed up. So, the state government had promised that a meeting would be held on this issue and a decision would be taken.

Representatives of various parties, former corporators and various organizations have opposed the collection of utility tax of Rs 60 per month for societies in Pimpri Chinchwad. The utility tax for 4 years from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2024 along with interest was included in the property tax of the property holders.

Meanwhile, MLA Landge again suggested stopping utility tax collection. A meeting will be held with the Chief Minister regarding this. Until then, the collection of utility tax levied by the municipal administration has been suspended.

Shreyas Vange