A round-table meeting organised under the aegis of the CPI(M) city committee has vehemently opposed hike in property tax and constitution of the property tax board here. In a unanimous resolution, the participants of the round-table wanted the State government to withdraw GO 107 related to the PT Board immediately.
The conference was attended by representatives of various welfare associations of residential colonies and apartments, trade bodies, walkers' associations and voluntary organisations. The participants felt that the formation of such a board was unconstitutional and against the spirit of federalism. It would weaken the local self-governance enshrined in the Constitution. More so, the constitution of the board was a move to avoid releasing of grants and funds to the ULBs, they felt.
Burden on taxpayers
CPI(M) State committee member Ch. Babu Rao said the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) began issuing notices with revised rates. It was a burden of Rs. 25 crore, with an average hike of 150 per cent, on non-residential buildings' owners. The corporation was effecting the increase based on GOs issued in 2007.
As property tax was revised for every five years, another increase was imminent next year.
The woes of taxpayers would not end with it, he said. The government was planning to link the tax with capital value of the property.
If it were to be implemented, the property tax would be revised for every six months on par with the capital value revision, he said.
Vijayawada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) president Gaddam Subba Rao, Tax Payers Association secretary M. V. Anjaneyulu, Exhibitors Association president B. Prasad, and Footwear Association president Murali were among those who spoke at the meeting.
They decried the government moves, and underscored the need to roll back the hike.
CPI(M) leader D. Kasinath presided over the meeting.
