Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Mar 16: A special TMC council meeting to increase house taxes on the lines of current market guidelines was held on Monday at Dr V S Acharya auditorium. A decision to increase house taxes between 0.2 to 1.5 percent between the Corona crisis to prevent burdening ordinary people and avoiding violations of government directions was taken up even when the opposition members boycotted the meeting.

Chief executive Gopalakrishna Shetty gave details of the government circular, the responsibility of the municipal council and the measures that can be taken. Taxes on commercial buildings can be imposed between 0.5 and 3% extra. Residential buildings can be charged between 0.2 and 1.5%. Taxes can be levied on vacant land between 0.2 and 0.5%. "There are 48 roads in Kundapur municipal council. Taxes are levied on the basis of land value in the particular areas."

Member Mohandas Shenoy said that opposition members boycotted the previous ordinary meeting before the proposal for an increase in tax. "We too do not intend to burden people during the Corona crisis. It was necessary to discuss and find a solution. The lifestyle has not improved yet due to coronavirus. The opposition of people is natural if the taxes are increased in such circumstances. But if we violate government orders, it will pose problems to receive a government subsidy. Therefore, it is necessary to increase taxes within legal frameworks preventing burden to ordinary people."

Member Girish said that opposition members should have taken part and discussed the subject on Monday. But they have fled. "The problems will not be solved if the meeting is boycotted."

The officials tabled the scheme prepared not to burden the people and to ensure that the council income does not decrease. The examples of increased taxes in each ward were displayed. It was explained on the projector that if the taxes on residential houses based on their structure are increased between 0.2 and 1.5 percent, the maximum increase will be Rs 50.

Council president Veena Bhasker presided over the meeting. Standing committee president Shekar Poojary, chief executive Gopalakrishna Shetty and concerned officials were present.