Mumbai Residents Contest New Property Tax Policy
Residents of Mumbai are protesting against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) newly announced property tax policy, which bases property tax calculations on capital value. Over 35,000 housing societies, backed by several citizens' groups and 40 NGOs, plan to hold a one-day hunger strike at Azad Maidan before the BMC's current session concludes next month.
NGOs Join the Fight
Several prominent NGOs, including the Bombay Catholic Sabha, Federation of Housing Societies, SOUL, and Watchdog Foundation, are participating in the protest. Representatives from these organizations have publicly stated their desire for the authorities to abandon the new system and revert to the previous method. They argue that the new property tax system is intensely unpopular among the citizens.
Disparities in Taxation
Dolphy D’Souza, Convener of SOUL, has highlighted disparities within the new system. D'Souza presented documentation indicating differences in property tax levied between the western suburbs and the island city. For instance, a property valued over ₹1 crore in Marol would incur a ₹14,000 tax, whereas a property in Colaba valued at over ₹12 crore would only be taxed ₹5,200 annually. This starkly illustrates the perceived inequity.
BMC's Handling of Slum Properties
The protesting NGOs also pointed fingers at what they say is the BMC's failure to include slum properties within the property tax ambit. Advocate Godfrey Pimenta declared that BMC consented to this back in 2006 and was to assemble a committee to survey the slums – an action that is yet to be taken.