Ahmedabad municipal commissioner asked to look into issue of water tax

The under secretary of urban development and housing department, Balwant Desai has intimated municipal commissioner IP Gautam to look into issue of the civic body collecting water and sewerage tax in areas where it is not providing such facilities.

In a response to an application by a social activist in Juhapura, Nadeem Saiyad, Gautam has been asked to look into the matter and submit a detailed report to the urban development department.

Saiyad said even after the merger of some of the areas AMC limits, people there have not been provided water distribution lines and sewerage connection.  "However, the civic body collects sewer and water tax from residents. Why should we pay tax when they are not providing us the amenities," said Saiyad.

In the order Desai has said that Gautam should inform about the legality of the issues to the urban development department and  to Saiyad.  The AMC officials argue, that there is a norm that the civic body can charge water tax if areas fall under 'water zone'.