Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, May 23: Villagers of Keradi grama panchayat in Kundapur taluk laid a siege to the grama panchayat office on Monday, May 23 opposing the sudden five to six fold increase in house taxes for the year 2016-2017.

More than 500 villagers of Keradi and Bellala grama in Keradi grama panchayat limits gathered at Keradi market on Monday morning and conducted a rally shouting slogans till the grama panchayat office.

Addressing the protesters, the former grama panchayat president Prasanna Kumar Shetty said, "This is the first time in the history of the state that the tax is increased five fold like in a dictatorship. The grama panchayat in the meeting has taken up the unjust decision without any objections and has published a small notification in the newspapers. A decision should be taken up in the next meeting and tax should be collected at earlier rates. Otherwise, violent protests will be held,"

"Nowhere in the panchayat raj ordinance, it is mentioned that the tax can be increased five to six fold. There has also been severe loss in agriculture this time. Nobody can pay Rs 600 tax instead of Rs 100 all of a sudden. The panchayat need not become rich with house taxes. It is already receiving funds from state and union government for the purpose. Panchayat officers and people representatives should be taken to task.” he added.

Former taluk panchayat member Nagappa Kothari speaking on the occasion said that the grama panchayat should work for the welfare of villagers. Signatures were also collected from protestors.  They later submitted a memorandum to Panchayat development officer (PDO) Sathish.  The PDO assured that the demands of the villagers will be put forth in the next meeting of the panchayat and a decision will be taken.

Byndoor Police circle inspector Sudarshan led police team providing security.