NDMC waived off Goel’s Rs 25 crore tax, alleges AAP

The AAP on Tuesday alleged that the BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has waived off Rs 25 crore tax to exempt Union sports minister Vijay Goel’s haveli in old Delhi.

The Aam Aadmi Party said the NDMC exempted taxes of over 750 other properties to benefit Mr Goel. According to the party, it will result in a loss of around Rs 2,500 crore.

AAP’s Delhi unit convenor Dilip Pandey alleged that the decision was initially taken to benefit the heritage building owned by Mr Goel in Chandni Chowk.

“The benefit was earlier extended to one building owned by Goel. But when there was a hue and cry, other buildings of the area were given similar tax exemption. How can the cash-strapped North MCD, which can’t pay salaries to its employees, take such a step ” Mr Pandey said in a news conference. He added, “Vijay Goel has misused his position as a minister. It is not only a case of economic corruption, but also moral and political corruption and he should immediately step down.”

The AAP leader further asked why a case of economic offence should not be registered against Mr Goel. “Till the time the probe is not over, Goel should not only step down as minister, but also resign as a Rajya Sabha MP,” he said.

The municipal corporation claimed that the decision to waive taxes has not been taken as a favour to any particular person and is an attempt to motivate the restoration and adaptive reuse of cultural heritage sites.

But as per a copy of a now retracted proposal, the agency was planning to offer the privilege to just Haveli Dharampura that’s in the name of Mr Goel’s son.