Don't Pay HDMC Hiked Property Tax, It's Unfair: KCCI to Residents

HIKING of the property tax by enforcing additional user fee by Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has invited the wrath of trade and industry bodies, as it comes close on the heels of the recent hike in fuel prices and power tariffs.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Hubballi

The Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has taken serious exception to this exorbitant increase in the tax and urged the corporation to reconsider its decision.

The chamber, which held a public consultation meeting, has gathered opinions across the society and appealed to the public not to pay taxes until the corporation withdraws the hike, giving the urban local body a deadline of 15 days.

Traders and industries have complained that their taxes have increased multi-fold.

A significant jump is seen in the property tax in Hubballi-Dharwad due to the new guidance value for properties issued by the state government.

This factor is coupled with the introduction of the Underground Drainage (UGD) User Fee and Solid Waste Management (SWM) User Fee.

Of course, the HDMC used to collect SWM cess all these years, but it was meagre.