MP Supriya Sule Protests Unfair Tax Treatment: Demands Parity for New Villages under Pune Municipal Corporation
Khadakwasla, 12th March 2024: Baramati MP Supriya Sule voiced concerns over what she perceives as unfair treatment of 34 villages incorporated into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). In contrast to property tax exemptions granted to villages newly corporated within the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation and the waiver of penalty property tax for those under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the villages under PMC have only seen a suspension of penalty property tax. MP Supriya Sule expressed the villagers’ demand for tax relief comparable to Kalyan-Dombivli and a punitive tax waiver similar to Pimpri Chinchwad.
To protest against the perceived oppressive tax policies, an all-party dhol morcha took place on Tuesday, March 12, with MP Sule actively participating. Organized by the Kopre Nagari Action Committee, the protest involved various local leaders and citizens from Shivane, Uttam Nagar, Kondhawe-Dhawade, etc.
The protest featured a foot march from Ahire Gate to PMC’s Taxation and Tax Collection Department Office in Shivne, accompanied by drum beats and citizens holding boards advocating tax exemptions. Slogans against the Maharashtra Government and the PMC echoed during the symbolic protest at the tax collection office.
The main point of the issue lies in the taxation process, with the demand to rectify discrepancies in property taxation. The grievances include a tenfold increase in taxes since the villages joined PMC, compared to the last year of Gram Panchayat and concerns about taxation being conducted in 34 zones instead of the current 600 microzones within PMC.
Among the specific demands are considerations for FSI in taxation, restructuring taxation zones in alignment with the 34 villages, and addressing unregistered properties as per the Pimpri-Chinchwad decision of 2023. The villagers express their willingness to pay taxes but emphasize the need for fair and dignified taxation processes.
