*AAP slams BJP for increase in house tax*
The Aam Aadmi Party has criticised the hike in the BJP led government over increase in the rates of residential and commercial premises taxes.
AAP Ponda candidate Advocate Surel Tilve called it “inhuman” at a time when the Covid crisis continued to adversely affect the people. Tilve said, “This new rate is introduced just after elections. The BJP government has already started looting the Goans”.
He claimed that the hike would lead to greater financial burden for low-income group. He said, “The entire state is going through the COVID-19 crisis and people are suffering from a huge financial crisis. The increase in the house tax would burden people who were already grappling with an increase in the prices of groceries, LPG, petrol and electricity”.
Adding he said, “An increase in house tax is being implemented in Panchayat areas. Prior to this, there was a tax of Rs.8 per square metre. This has now been raised to Rs.40. mtrs for residential premises. Previously, the commercial property charge was Rs. 10 per sq mtr, but it has now been raised to Rs. 200 per sq mtr”.
He further said, “Thus, the common person who was paying Rs. 800 per year earlier has to pay Rs. 4000 for a house of 100 sq.mts. This is a huge burden for common people. BJP only speak of issues that people are facing in their daily life only during elections. Otherwise they only work towards their self development”.
