Parties slam Cong U-turn on house tax

With the House Tax Committee of the Municipal Corporation set to discuss imposition of house tax on August 9, the U-turn of the Congress on the matter has drawn flak from other political parties.

The Congress councillors who had earlier opposed the imposition of tax have been preparing a ground for imposition of house tax for the past few days. The plea being taken is that instead of letting the administration impose house tax as per its whims, the MC should agree to imposing a small amount of tax.

It is being proposed that tax be imposed on residences with area of five marla and above.

Congress councillor Subhash Chawla said the House Tax Committee would take a decision on imposition of tax on residential property. Different options would be examined before taking a final decision. He added that the administration was putting pressure on the Municipal Corporation for some time for imposition of house tax. It was being considered that instead of tax being imposed by the administration as per its own wish, the civic body could agree to a nominal tax.

The proposal is, however, not finding acceptance with the councillors of other political parties. The BJP is alleging that despite the claims of the Congress in its manifesto as well as the budget speech of the mayor that no new tax will be imposed, the party was going back on its word.

BJP councillor Arun Sood , who is a member of the House Tax Committee, said the party would oppose imposition of the tax and not even a small amount of tax should be imposed. Till a few days ago, the Congress was claiming that no tax would be imposed and the same was approved in the meeting of the general house when letters from the administration for imposing tax were received. Now the party was going back on its word, he added.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Life of Pi singer Bombay Jayashri to perform in Chandigarh

Theories of Sino-India war far-fetched, says ex-Army chief

HC rejects Punjab plea on Bhattal’s govt house

Civic body moots Rs 616-cr budget, discussion today