Political parties term property tax order as ‘arbitrary’, SMC says contest this move
Kashmir News Trust #KNT
The imposition of property tax in Jammu and Kashmir has drawn flak with almost every political party except BJP has criticized the government order saying that it is an attempt to overburden the people of Jammu and Kashmir which are already finding it difficult to meet their both ends.
Jammu and Kashmir political parties have demanded an immediate withdrawal of this order.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah and JKNC vice-president asked “why should people in J&K pay state taxes, including the proposed property tax, when we have no say in how our government is run”?
“No Taxation Without Representation”. Why should people in J&K pay state taxes including the proposed property tax when we have no say in how our government is run & no say in the decision-making of J&K. We are expected to be mute spectators to all unjust decisions by Raj Bhavan,” Omar Abdullah tweeted.
J&K People’s Conference president Sajad Lone tweeted, “Government has come up with a detailed clarification on property tax. I still say No. Not the time to tax.”
Levying property tax in the aftermath of COVID-19 is an attempt to ensure economic euthanasia, Lone added.
CPI(M) Central Committee member and former MLA MY Tarigami termed decision “arbitrary and undemocratic”.
“Levying property tax is arbitrary and undemocratic. The process of collecting the tax and deciding the value is the sole prerogative of elected institutions. The notification is in deep contrast to the 74th constitutional amendment. It must be withdrawn forthwith,” Tarigami as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust said.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu opposed the decision alleging that it was taken without consulting the municipal committees.
“Imposition of Property Tax in J&K is ironically violative of municipal empowerment as this has neither been deliberaed upon, nor approved by elected ULBs. While SMC will explore ways to contest this arbitrary move, I am writing to the Hon’ble LG seeking a withdrawal of the SO,” he tweeted.
Deputy Mayor Parvaiz Ahmad Qadri Saif tweeted and asked people not to panic.
“We are rejecting it even before its arrival. It won’t the get consent of corporators. People should not panic.”
Strongly denouncing the decision, J&K Congress president Vikar Rasool Wani said that this is the BJP’s Amrit Kaal and the administration’s Naya Jammu Kashmir.
“I strongly denounced the levying of property tax on our people who are unable to run their homes due to the high rate of inflation, immense unemployment rate and zero business activity,” he tweeted.
The decision was also criticized by Jammu-based political parties, who termed it “illogical”. The Dogra Swabhimaan Sangathan Party said that such orders from a “bureaucratic nexus” only hurt people. [KNT]
