General body rejects Thane civic body’s proposed tax hike

WHILE PRESENTING THE DRAFT BUDGET, CIVIC CHIEF HAD PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX BY 10%

In a move that is likely to bring smiles to the lakhs of Thane residents, the general body on Monday rejected Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) proposal to hike property, water and solid waste taxes. The general body, however, approved the Rs3,390-crore budget estimate tabled by the civic chief on March 30.

While presenting the draft for 2017-18 civic budget, municipal commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal had then proposed to increase the property tax by 10%, claiming that it would increase the TMC’S revenue by Rs40 crore. The property tax hike proposal was tabled by leader of the House Naresh Mhaske and was seconded by leader of the Opposition Milind Patil.

Before the TMC poll, the Shiv Sena had promised to waive property tax on houses smaller than 500 sq ft. Though the ruling party in the corporation has failed to fulfil its promise, despite claiming the TMC with absolute majority single-handedly, it refused to burden the citizens by hiking the existing taxes or introducing new ones.

Commenting on the rejection of the proposal by the general body, Thane mayor Meenaksh Shinde said, “Now, the civic administration should immedi ately cancel its proposal of hik ing the tax.”

While most Sena leaders refused to comment about the property tax waiver the party had promised before the civic elections, Mhaske said, “We have kept most of the promises made to Thane residents and will continue to do so. In the next five years, all our poll promises wil be fulfilled.”

Speaking to HT, Patil said that his party has ensured that the common man is not burdened with any new tax or hike in the existing ones.