EDMC rolls back property tax hike

In a major relief to commercial taxpayers, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has finally rolled back the hike in property tax. The Corporation’s Standing Committee on Thursday unanimously approved the rollback in the hike, which was as much as 16 to 18 times for some categories of commercial and semi-commercial properties.     

The Corporation will this year allow a period of 45 days after the collection of taxes for 2017-18 financial years is announced, so that taxpayers can pay the dues on the previous rates itself.

“The Standing Committee has passed the rollback in the hike. This will come as a relief to property owners. The issue had been pending for some time because of elections and delay in constitution of committees,” said Neema Bhagat, mayor, EDMC.  

The rollback aws proposed in a meeting last September itself. However, since municipal elections were due this year and there was a delay in the constitution of the Standing Committee post-elections, a decision on the issue was pending.

No proposal can be cleared without the approval of the Standing Committee. The increase in taxes was proposed last year by the Third Municipal Valuation Committee, which had suggested a rejig in property categories.