Pics: Joshwa D'souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Dec 28: Urging the city corporation to revoke the order of hiking the self assessment tax (SAS) and rise in water meter bills, the city unit of BJP staged a protest in front of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) on Wednesday December 28.

Speaking on the occasion, the leader of the opposition in MCC, Roopa Bangera slammed the ruling Congress party for the hike and urged them to apologise to the people for having broken their promise of not going to hike the self assessment tax. "The people have been duped by the Congress party who came to power with the promise that they will not hike the tax. Hence they must apologise to the people for the breach of people's trust.

They have diverted Rs 55 crore of Amruth funds toward repair of the pipeline. The Congress leaders boast even if they undertake works amounting to Rs 50,000, but they must answer the people for the diversion of the centre's funds," she said.

Speaking on the occasion the former opposition leader of MCC Premananda Shetty said, "This rise in SAS tax and water bill is a merciless rise. Instead of burdening the common man with taxes they must find leaks in the tax collection system. There are many ways to increase revenue, like the hike in advertisement tax. The party opposes both the hikes and has urged the MCC to revoke the decision."

Deputy mayor Sumithra Kariya, former MLC Monappa Bhandary, corporators Sudhir Shetty, Diwakar Pandeshwar and others were present at the occasion.