Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation proposes 5% hike in property tax every year

Brace for higher taxes, every year! Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) commissioner M Thennarasan, in the draft budget, has proposed to fix a 5% increase to property tax every year. This year, it will mean citizens will pay Rs 500 crore more tax.

Thennarasan placed his budget proposal of Rs 8,400 crore before the standing committee of the AMC on Tuesday.

The budget plan is Rs 289 crore higher than last year's.

He has also proposed an environmental improvement charge (EIC) - another first - which is estimated to range from Rs 5 for residential units smaller than 50 square metres to Rs 3,000 for units greater than 500 square metres.

For commercial units, this charge may range between Rs 150 and Rs 7,000 per annum.

The AMC in the budget document, states that GST on many municipal services and price inflation in raw materials have necessitated a rise in taxes.

The AMC commissioner has also proposed doubling door-to-door garbage collection charges per household such that it totals Rs 120 crore an annum, compared to Rs 107 crore last year.

It has proposed to double solid waste user charge from Re 1 per day per household to Rs 2.

After model roads, municipal commissioner M Thennarasan has committed to provide five iconic roads, nine new flyovers, 40 smart parking zones where you can pay and book parking space in advance.

Thenaressan has also promised two working women's hostels and seven 'She-Lounges' where women can breastfeed.