DIBRUGARH: The Eastern Assam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EACCI) has submitted a memorandum to the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC), seeking urgent intervention on two critical issues impacting the town’s business environment—flawed holding tax assessments and unregulated street vending.
In the representation, EACCI raised concerns over erroneous classification of residential properties as commercial under the ongoing holding tax reassessment process, leading to inflated tax demands. The chamber highlighted that a previously agreed waiver of the fourth-quarter holding tax, as recorded in minutes of a meeting with DMC, has not been reflected on the corporation’s online portal.
The chamber further pointed out that the state government’s directive—limiting tax hikes to 25% of the last collected amount—is not being followed in practice. They also demanded that trade license issuance be decoupled from holding tax payments in cases where tenants are not responsible for municipal dues.
In addition, EACCI expressed deep concern over the increasing encroachment of footpaths and roads by street vendors in key commercial areas such as HS Road, New Market, and Babulal Poddar Path.
Despite the existence of designated vending zones and past enforcement actions, unauthorized vending continues unabated, leading to traffic congestion, access blockage, and altercations with shopkeepers. Business owners allege that the vendors operate without registration, licenses, or contribution to civic revenues, while formal establishments continue to bear financial and regulatory burdens.
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