Pics: Joshwa D''Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Dec 22: Amid strong opposition from the BJP, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) on Thursday December 22 gave its approval for 15% rise in self-assessment scheme (SAS) tax in the special council meet held at the Mangala auditorium of MCC here.

The hike will be effective from April 2017. The last time the civic body hiked the tax was in 2014-15 by 15 percent.

"As per Section 109 (A) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, the rates of property tax under the self-assessment scheme (SAS) should be revised upwards once every three years," informed the commissioner of MCC, Mohammed Nazeer.

This statement from the commissioner received strong opposition from the BJP. Leader of opposition Roopa Bangera alleged, "Congress which came with the promise that it would not hike the SAS is cheating the people of this city with this hike."

In reply, Congress members backlashed at the BJP claiming it was the BJP who hiked the SAS for the fiscal year 2014-15 during the tenure of former mayor Ganesh Hosabettu. The name of one of the former BJP ministers was also dragged into the discussion. This statement angered the BJP who came to the well of the council arguing that governor''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s rule was responsible for the hike and that the names of BJP leaders were dragged without the reason. A din followed and the argument between the members of the two parties turned out to be verbal clash between corporators Tilak Chandra from BJP and Rauf from Congress.

As the situation worsened, members of the council urged the MCC commissioner to check documents and find a solution for the stalemate. A check revealed that it was during the tenure of former mayor Ganesh Hosabettu that the last hike was effected, and then the third hike after the introduction of SAS tax was made.

As the council moved with the proceedings, the discussion was repeated between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP when the issues of hike in water bill and diversion of funds from Amrut project were taken up.

Mayor of MCC Harinath, deputy mayor Sumitra Kariya, MLA of Mangaluru north constituency Mohiuddin Bawa, and chief whip of Karnataka Legislative Council Ivan D''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Souza were present.