From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 2: The One-Time-Settlement (OTS) Scheme, which offers concessions to property tax owners in their penalty and interest arrears on arrears, which has helped the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to mop up Rs 380 crore, which ended on July 31 has been extended by a month till the end of August.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister, told media persons in Bengaluru on Friday that the OTS benefit has been extended following demands from the public and officials. There were server issues and some had made payments by cheques, which necessitated the extension.

Property tax to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore has been collected so far and an additional Rs 400 crore has been collected, he said making it clear that honest tax payers will not be put to hardships. If anybody has made excess payment, the excess amount will be adjusted towards future tax payments, he said.

BJP Padayatra Futile

Shivakumar said the BJP padayatra on the alleged MUDA scam is pointless and unnecessary and the ruling Congress party has its own plans to counter the opposition BJP by launching mass agitations.

“They have given us an opportunity to expose themselves and bring out details of scandals during the BJP rule,” he said terming the BJP government in the State as the “most corrupt in the state’s history.”

The Deputy Chief Minister said the Congress party will raise four questions a day on the injustice to Karnataka in the Central budget and on the corruption scandals of BJP rule. “Let them answer our 4 questions daily,” he challenged.

Shivakumar said the BJP ally JDS decided to dissociate itself from the unilateral padayatra by BJP fearing loss of its base. “But the BJP leaders have forced them by threats to join the padayatra. That is their problem. But we are unperturbed and will fight them,” he declared.

Asked if the Congress mass agitation will be carried out throughout the State, he said let the BJP first answer our questions. We will decide and announce our future course of action later, he said.