A rationalised rate could be announced in the monsoon session of the state assembly in July.
If buzz in the state revenue department is to be believed, there is a strong possibility of the Gujarat state government lowering the present jantri (base rate of the land for the tax calculation decided by the state government) rates.
Revenue department officials, however, downplayed the development stating that the move is aimed at removing discrepancies in rates.
According to sources, issue was discussed during a meeting chaired by the state revenue minister Anandiben Patel.
“It was found that there are many areas in the state where jantri rates vary despite having identical similarities in land and other characteristics. So, it was discussed to bring parity in jantri rates,” said an official talking on condition of anonymity.
However, some officials say that the exercise is being done to rationalise the last revision of jantri rates in 2011 “Don’t expect drastic change in the jantri rates across the state. Rates would be changed in some selected areas, where they are inconsistent. We are identifying such areas. It is likely that the change in rate may be on the downside,” indicated another officer.
If the state government indeed brings in these changes, it would bring it during the monsoon session of assembly.
It would also be the last assembly session of the present government. It is believed that government may call the assembly session in July 2012, instead of its general practice of calling the session for a couple of days in September month.
“It is expected that monsoon session will be called in July. Keeping in mind the rule that there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of the assembly and the likelihood of Election Commission (EC) announcing polls date in September, state government has little option but to announce the revised jantri rate soon. So, government will, in all probability, call the monsoon session in July itself.
It must be remembered that once EC announces dates for state assembly polls, the model code of conduct comes into force, which prohibits government from making any populist announcement as it may influence voters.
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