During the MC election campaign, all parties had promised to abolish paid parking and property tax in the first meeting of the MC House, but little was done on both issues at the maiden meeting of the House here today.
While a review committee would be formed to assess the paid parking issue, the MC has decided to send the issue of abolishing property tax to the state government for reconsideration.
Both these issues, which figured on top of the election manifestos of all parties, were placed at the bottom of the agenda for discussion.
As Akali-BJP councillors started insisting on abolishing property tax from the town, Mayor Kulwant Singh said everybody was aware of the fact that it was not in the jurisdiction of the House. “We used to talk about abolishing property tax, but all of you know it is not easy as the tax has been levied by the Centre as a condition for giving certain grants to the state,” said Kulwant Singh.
However, on the insistence of the Akali-BJP councillors, who said they would talk to the ruling government in the state for abolishing property tax, the House decided to send the matter to the state government for reconsideration.
“Forming a review committee on the paid parking issue is nothing short of cheating local residents,” said Harmanpreet Singh Prince and Paramjit Singh Kahlon, Akali councillors, adding that paid parking should have been abolished in the first meeting itself as promised by the Congress and Azad Group during their election campaign.
Mayor Kulwant Singh said they would take a decision on the issue soon after getting a report from the committee.
Residents of the town are upset over the levy of property tax and the introduction of paid parking in the town. Several protests were held by them in the town on both issues.
While a review committee would be formed to assess the paid parking issue, the MC has decided to send the issue of abolishing property tax to the state government for reconsideration.
Both these issues, which figured on top of the election manifestos of all parties, were placed at the bottom of the agenda for discussion.
As Akali-BJP councillors started insisting on abolishing property tax from the town, Mayor Kulwant Singh said everybody was aware of the fact that it was not in the jurisdiction of the House. “We used to talk about abolishing property tax, but all of you know it is not easy as the tax has been levied by the Centre as a condition for giving certain grants to the state,” said Kulwant Singh.
However, on the insistence of the Akali-BJP councillors, who said they would talk to the ruling government in the state for abolishing property tax, the House decided to send the matter to the state government for reconsideration.
“Forming a review committee on the paid parking issue is nothing short of cheating local residents,” said Harmanpreet Singh Prince and Paramjit Singh Kahlon, Akali councillors, adding that paid parking should have been abolished in the first meeting itself as promised by the Congress and Azad Group during their election campaign.
Mayor Kulwant Singh said they would take a decision on the issue soon after getting a report from the committee.
Residents of the town are upset over the levy of property tax and the introduction of paid parking in the town. Several protests were held by them in the town on both issues.
