Stiff opposition to ‘more amenities, more taxes’ concept of PMC

PMC will implement this concept on a pilot basis in one regional ward with 80,000 properties though political parties are opposing this move of the corporation.

Pune

The Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to impose an additional property tax on a pilot basis on flats having more amenities as compared to other houses in the same locality.  Earlier, the property taxes were levied based on the ready reckoner chart.  

PMC will implement this concept on a pilot basis in one regional ward with 80,000 properties though political parties are opposing this move of the corporation.

The corporation claims that the move is aimed to avoid discrepancy.

“Residents of properties with additional amenities will have to pay additional property tax in a specific area under a ward to be identified by the civic body. If the implementation is successful, this additional tax will be applicable to other places as well,” said Vikram Kumar, municipal commissioner.

Opposition to this move is being heard from various quarters.

“The apartment owners have already paid to the builder for the amenities provided. After that, money is paid only for the maintenance and repair of the amenities. PMC is no way involved in maintaining the amenities, then how can they levy tax on the amenities. When huge luxury housing projects are constructed, a certain ‘amenity space’ is given to the corporation. So, increasing the income tax amount in the name of amenities is unfair,” said Sangita Tiwari, a senior political leader.

NCP party senior leader and former corporator Deepak Mankar said that there is stiff opposition to the idea even if it is being done on a pilot basis, as of now. “I think it is difficult to achieve the objective of increasing the income of the municipal corporation by increasing the property tax,” he said.

Chaitraly Deshmukh-Tajane