Vijayawada: Govt urged to give 50% rebate in property tax

Vijayawada: In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the State should announce 50 per cent concession in the property tax in the towns and cities of Andhra Pradesh on the lines of the Telangana government, demanded CH Babu Rao, convener of AP Urban Citizens Forum.

Addressing media here on Monday, Babu Rao also demanded the government to withdraw the proposal to increase house taxes and abolish the penalties.

He said that the Telangana government released a GO giving 50 percent discount to the house owners who pay below Rs 15,000 in the Twin Cities and to the house owners who pay below Rs 10,000 in the other towns across Telangana.

Recalling the severe economic crisis people are facing due to the pandemic, Babu Rao said that people were not in a position to pay even rents and taxes. In this backdrop, the state government and the municipal administration should take a decision to give discount to the people in the house tax.

He deplored that instead of providing any relief in payment of taxes, the government was collecting 24 percent as penalty due to late payment of taxes.

Moreover, the government was contemplating enhancement of house tax as per the market value of the property instead of the old practice of rent value as per the conditions laid down by the Central government. In addition, the government has already issued notices to the citizens demanding payment of garbage tax and user taxes in various cities across the state.

Babu Rao said that the government in anti-people move is all set to install water metres in some cities in the State.

He recalled that already house tax was increased in some towns across the state on the pretext of difference in measurements and GPS survey.

Keeping in view the troubles people are facing with the exorbitant taxes, the government should announce fifty per cent concession in the house taxes and abolish the penalties, he demanded. The taxes which were already paid should be adjusted to the next financial year, he said.