|
Vadodara : In a development that may worry the BJP-led Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), a group representing over 200 residential colonies has threatened to stop paying taxes to the civic body.
The group, known as Vadodara Mahanagar Co-operative Housing Society Association (VMCHSA), has alleged that the taxes collected by VMC are higher than the civic bodies in bigger cities in the state. VMCHSA members said VMC has failed to provide proper infrastructural facilities despite collecting heavy taxes.
"The taxes collected by VMC are much more than those collected in Ahmedabad and Surat, which are bigger in terms of area and population. Why should citizens shell out more money when they are not getting enough facilities?" VMCHSA vice-president Shripaad Mahajani questioned.
"We will not pay house and water taxes from next year if VMC doesn't reduce the rates. VMC collects Rs 11 per square metre towards house tax and Rs 850 towards water taxes. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) charges Rs 10 per square metre and less than Rs 400 towards water taxes annually. Still AMC has much better roads and infrastructure than our city," Mahajani, a resident of Karelibaug, said.
According to VMCHSA, VMC collects about Rs 250 crore from house tax annually and it charges drainage charges in wrong manner. "Civic bodies cannot increase the taxes without taking proper permission from the state government. Also, taxes can be increased only once in four years. However, in 2009-10, VMC raised the house tax rate from Rs 10 to Rs 11," Mahajani added.
VMCHSA members have organised a meeting on Sunday in Karelibaug to chalk out further plan of action against VMC. Their action may force BJP to sit up and take notice as civic elections are just a couple of months away and the party cannot afford such protests that may bring adverse publicity.
|
