Contrary to the promise made to the people, the Congress-ruled Mangalore City Corporation Council has allowed collection of property tax at a rate higher by 15 per cent as revised by the erstwhile administration, Mayor Mahabala Marla admitted on Wednesday.
The corporation council recently passed a resolution suggesting that there will be no increase in property tax rate.
The Congress had, during elections, promised that it will never increase property tax.
When asked, Mayor Mahabala Marla told presspersons here that the council had opposed a hike announced during the period when the corporation was under an administrator.
“This decision of the council has been conveyed to the government. It is for the government to take a decision [in the next three months],” he said.
Mr. Marla said that the elected councillors have acted as per the promise made to voters in passing the resolution not to implement the orders of the administrator, who controlled the corporation in the absence of the council.
“If the State government does not agree, we will consider ways to tackle it,” he said and added, “As we have taken action, the local Ministers and MLAs should also display the same commitment to the poll promise.”
Mr. Marla agreed that the corporation was collecting tax as per the rate announced by the administrator.
Mr. Marla said that it was the responsibility of the State government to appoint a commissioner to the corporation.
“It is unfortunate that a long time has passed in appointing a commissioner,” he added.
Mr. Marla said that there is a plan to take up works to improve Hampankatta, PVS, Mallikatta, Bunts Hostel and Ambedkar (Jyothi) junctions at a cost of Rs. 3.85 crore. In the second phase of junction improvement, the corporation will take up works at Circuit House, Kavoor and 11 other junctions. Works to widen 12 roads was also being taken up. Work was on to have new flooring, seats and air-conditioning facilities at the Town Hall.
Mr. Marla said that efforts were being made by the corporation staff to prevent the spread of malaria and dengue. Action was being taken against builders who are not taking steps to prevent breeding of mosquitoes on their sites.
