BTC Urban Development department enhances property taxes

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The property taxes paid by households to the Municipal Board have been increased to 7.5 percent by the BTC's Urban Development and Town and Country Planning division. Residents of Kokrajhar town complained about the excessive tax levied before the municipal boards provided the necessary services.

At a press meet held in the Urban Development conference room, the department's executive manager, Wilson Hasda, stated that the council had begun setting taxes in accordance with the government of India's programme for municipal reform. He stated that until March 20th, claims and objections over the fixation of the additional tax would be accepted. Additionally, he stated that the higher tax would be implemented after receiving BTC authority clearance. The administration will listen to public objections, so people shouldn't worry about the reformed tax, he said, adding that they were taking into account all public opinions. He added that no property has been assessed for taxes in almost 30 years.

“According to Langkeswar Wary, Minister of Town and Country Planning and Urban Development, the Municipal tax assessment would continue until March 20 in order to determine the additional tax. He claimed that municipal boards should offer citizens the facilities and services they need. He added that it is important to raise taxes in order to meet the public's need for facilities in order to deliver better services. Also, he stated that the annual rental value would be increased by 7.5 percent. Apart from a few regions, there is no tax exemption for property taxes in the areas listed on the sixth schedule. He noted that taxes are not income-focused.

“Streetlights, the drainage system, cleanliness, and other amenities were allegedly not properly given to residents, according to complaints made at the time. Why should the public pay taxes if citizens are not provided with services and facilities? They were questioned. The system update is being made, according to the EM, for greater facilities.“According to Wary, a survey to expand the number of wards in Kokrajhar town has already been completed; there will now be 25 wards instead of the current 10 wards. The declaration of the new wards, he indicated, would occur soon. According to him, Assam Urban Development has introduced a system for standardising house structures at the fluent level and has promised to take action against any projects that are illegal or that violate the rules.

“A meeting with the DC and SP was held earlier, and many battery rickshaws were subject to assessment. However, the system assessment and data collection are delaying the regulation, according to Kokrajhar Municipal Board (KMB) chairperson Pratibha Brahma, who also stated that the issue would be discussed very soon. Kokrajhar has seen an increase in battery rickshaws and their danger. She claimed that the KMB was starting to expedite work on fundamental issues, such as drain cleaning. Also, she stated that Kokrajhar town would be under cctv surveillance.

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