Chandigarh MC house to meet today; major showdown on cards over property tax & parking rates
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Chandigarh: The MC house meeting on Wednesday is set to be a stormy affair, with both AAP and Congress ready to corner the BJP on the issues of
property tax hike
and the proposed increase in parking rates.
AAP Chandigarh
spokesperson and councillor Yogesh Dhingra said, "AAP demands a full rollback of the property hike. The small reduction in the rate is just a political stunt by the BJP. Now the BJP wants to put an additional financial burden on city residents by increasing parking rates. Rates were already increased under the guise of introducing smart parking, but it is still to be done. AAP will take a strong stand in Wednesday's house meeting on these issues."
Congress has also demanded a complete rollback of the property tax hike. In a pre-house meeting of the Congress councillors held under the leadership of Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky on Tuesday, party councillors decided to voice their protest strongly and unequivocally during the house meeting.
Stating it was BJP's strong opposition to the property tax hike and its subsequent efforts that led to a decrease in property tax rates, mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, on the proposed
parking rates increase
, said, "It is up to the house to decide parking charges. A revision in parking rates will facilitate the introduction of smart parking."
by Taboola
by Taboola
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As per the proposed increase in parking rates, the first 15 minutes shall be free across all parking lots. Thereafter, four-wheelers will be charged Rs 20 for up to four hours of parking, Rs 25 for 4 to 8 hours, and for above 8 hours, an additional Rs 10 per hour. Two-wheelers will be charged Rs 10 for up to 4 hours, Rs 15 for 4 to 8 hours, and above 8 hours, an additional Rs 5 per hour.
In addition to this, the MC is proposing to impose a compound penalty/interest on water bills. "A consumer who fails to pay the water charges, including arrears and surcharge/penalty thereto, if any, should be liable to pay a penalty at the rate of 10% of the total amount of water charges due, including surcharge, if any, due on the date from the consumer," said the agenda.
Also, the MC is planning to revise the licence fee for erecting or re-erecting hedges and fences on municipal land. It has been proposed to increase the licence fee, to enhance revenue, from Rs 0.25 per sq ft per year to Rs 2 per sq ft per year for erecting/re-erecting hedges on municipal land adjoining residential areas on the road berm of V5 and V6 roads.
Other key agendas
- Lease deed on behalf of MC with private landowners for setting up a modular type sewage treatment plant for the treatment of wastewater generated from village Fadian.
- Selection of an agency for the disposal of horticulture waste.
- Allotment of land for setting up a critical care block (50-bedded) PM-ABHIM, Plot 5 in Pocket 1, Manimajra, in lieu of land at pocket no.14 Manimajra, Chandigarh.
- Adoption of Haryana Fire and Emergency Service Act for Chandigarh.
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