Amid massive outrage from different quarters, the J&K government on Saturday said that one third of the population here are already exempted from the property tax.
The government also asserted that it would go ahead to implement the property taxes from April 1, despite opposition from Srinagar Mayor and his deputy.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said the union territory of J&K is the last one in the country to notify the property taxes.
“The property tax is to be implemented in urban localities and not rural areas. No tax will be implemented on agricultural land that is in urban areas. There will be no tax on residential houses upto build Up area of 1000 SqFt. And one third of the population here are already exempted from the property tax,” Bidhuri, who was accompanied by Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Athar Aamir Khan, told reporters in Srinagar.
He said the property taxes to be imposed here will be the lowest in the country and would not be at par in cities, towns and other urban areas.
Bidhuri said the property tax will be payable annually and not monthly.
The divisional commissioner said the taxes that would be collected would be used for the people of those specific areas.
“The property tax will ensure better facilities to people in urban areas,” he said.
The SMC Commissioner Khan said the Corporation will implement the property tax in Srinagar from April 1.
Soon after the announcement of property tax, Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu and deputy mayor Pervaz Qadri had hit out at the order.
“Imposition of property tax in J&K is ironically violative of municipal empowerment as this has neither been deliberated upon, nor approved by elected urban local bodies. While Srinagar MC will explore ways to contest this arbitrary move, I am writing to the Hon’ble LG seeking a withdrawal of the SO,” Mattu had tweeted on February 22.
However, the SMC Commissioner said the government has the power and authority to issue such an order.
“If you read the SO, there is a reference to section 143 A of the Municipal Corporation Act and the government has the power and authority to issue and implement this order. And it will be implemented from April 1, 2023 as per the government direction,” Khan told reporters.
Khan said as far as the fact, the government has issued the order for the improvement and empowerment of municipal corporations and whatever the taxes would be generated will be used for developmental purposes only.
The J&K government’s move to impose a property tax continues to face stiff criticism from political parties , who termed the move an “unjustified” and “unwarranted”.
