Nagpur Municipal Corporation Public hearings on property tax from February 24

NMC 10-member all party committee formed to hear suggestions and objections on reduction in rate of taxation of property tax by General Body has organised public hearings on February 24, 25 and 26.

NMC Administration increased the base rate to Rs 10 in 2009 putting huge burden on local residents. The local residents started protesting against the steep hike in base rate when started receiving high property tax bills. Ruling Party and Opposition parties in NMC demanded Municipal Commissioner to reduce the base rate. But NMC Administration was firm on the stand. Considering protests, NMC General Body reduced the rate of taxation giving some relief to local residents and General Body also approved the proposal. In spite of this, NMC Administration denied to implement the proposal passed by General Body saying that it should be done by going through process. Accordingly, NMC General Body invited suggestions and objections on reduction of rate of taxation. Total 2,117 suggestions and objections were received from nine Zones. There were no suggestions and objections from Mangalwari Zone-10. After this, 10-member all party committee has been formed including Mayor Archana Dehankar who will be chairman, Deputy Mayor Shekhar Sawarbandhe, Standing Committee Chairman Praveen Bhisikar and Corporators Sandeep Joshi, Habibur Rehman, Prashant Chopda, Hitesh Joshi, Raju Lokhande, Rahul Telang and Pushpa Ghode. This Committee will now hear the suggestions and objections on February 24, 25 and 26. The hearings will be held at Standing Committee hall at NMC Head Quarters in Civil Lines from 10 am to 3 pm. Archana Dehankar has urged the people to attend the hearings and keep their suggestions and objections. Sandeep Joshi informed that suggestions and objections were called for reduction in rate of taxation. Out of total, 90 per cent suggestions and objections are demanding reduction in base rate and 10 per cent have supported the reduction in rate of taxation. Shekhar Sawarbandhe said NMC duty is to give proper service to people and hear their grievances. Though power to decide base rate is with NMC Administration, the Committee will entertain suggestions and objections on base rate also and keep the demands of the public in General Body, he said. It may not be wrong to say that, once again NMC Administration and office bearers will come face to face with base rate issue as property tax has increased to a great extent due to steep hike in base rate.