Congress slams BJP over hike in trade fee, solid waste cess in Karnataka's Puttur CMC; calls move anti-poor, unjust to small traders

Time of India

3 hours ago

MANGALURU: The ruling BJP in the Puttur City Municipal Council has come under fire from the opposition
Congress
for introducing revised tariffs that have been labelled as anti-people and burdensome to small traders.
Congress councillors, led by MLA Ashok Rai, convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday to condemn the move. They alleged that the BJP-led administration doubled the trade fee and solid waste cess, disproportionately affecting marginal traders and low-income vendors.
Terming the decision as anti-poor, the Congress members stated that the hike would make life more difficult for those who already operate on thin margins, some with daily business of barely Rs 3,000.
While clarifying they are not opposed to taxing large enterprises, they said applying the same fee hike to small traders is unjustified and unacceptable.
The members also accused the BJP of misleading the public by claiming that the increase was mandated by the state govt. Congress clarified that no such directive was issued and said the BJP was trying to divert public anger by blaming the Congress-led state govt.
"This hike is not in effect anywhere else. The BJP in Puttur introduced it arbitrarily, and now they are trying to pass the blame. The Congress party will launch a protest against the fee revision,' the MLA said, adding that the party will not remain silent in the face of injustice to the poor.
Councillors Riaz Parladka, Shaila Pai, nominated members Basheer Parladka, Sharif Balnadu, Sharada Aras, Block Congress President Krishnaprasad Alva, and KPCC General Secretary M S Mohammed were present at the meeting.