CM Fadnavis cornered on waiver of property tax

Mumbai: Seeking to corner chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on the issue of waiver of property tax, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has demanded waiver of property tax of residences of size 700 square feet across the state in all corporations and other local bodies. The Sena’s objective seems to have the property tax issue boomerang on the BJP.

During the elections, the Sena had promised Mumbaikars that property tax of homes up to 500 square feet would be waived off, and 50 per cent concession would be given to homes up to 750 square feet. After coming to power in the BMC, the Sena mooted a proposal in this regard which hasn’t yet been approved by municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta.

The Sena believes that Mr Mehta is dragging his feet on the approval owing to lack of funds on the instructions of Mr Fadnavis, as implementing the proposal would cause a loss of revenue of Rs 350 crore. With a view to scoring political points, BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar had in the Assembly demanded waiving off property tax for 700 square feet homes in the city. While consenting to the demand, Mr Fadnavis said that if the BMC sent the proposal, the state government would approve it.