PCMC committee says civic chief would invoke special powers to approve initiative

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has decided to provide 100 per cent concession in property tax to retired soldiers of the Indian armed forces — a move that has drawn praise from all quarters. Though the PCMC standing committee on Tuesday took the decision, it will first require approval from the general body meeting and finally the state government nod. Civic activists said PCMC should implement the decision without waiting for state government approval as it involves honouring our soldiers who contributed their might for the nation.

The PCMC administration had proposed that 50 per cent concession should be given to those retired soldiers who hold properties up to 1,500 square feet. However, the standing committee decided to grant cent per cent concession to the retired soldiers. Standing committee chairman Dnyaneshwar Bhalerao said, “This is just a small step for soldiers who guard our lives and our nation’s borders. Whatever we do for them is just a tip of the iceberg. The soldiers make the supreme sacrifice for the nation and they deserve all our support,” he said. As to why the same facility was not extended to serving soldiers, Bhalerao said that is because serving soldiers get salaries and all other benefits which are not applicable to the retired soldiers.

PCMC assistant municipal commissioner (tax department) Shahaji Pawar said such a plan already exists in Thane. “We have spoken to the officials in Thane Municipal Corporation and they have confirmed that their civic body had approved the plan and sent it to the state government for approval,” he said. Another assistant municipal commissioner Sudhakar Deshmukh said the administration had proposed 50 per cent property tax rebate, but the standing committee decided on cent per cent. “Now the proposal will be placed before the general body. After the GB gives its sanction, it will have to be okayed by the state government before approval.”

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