Waive Property Tax for Chikhali Housing Scheme Residents!

BJP MLA Mahesh Landge submits memorandum

Pimpri-Chinchwad | BJP MLA Mahesh Landge has demanded that the property tax (house tax) levied by Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on the houses measuring 36.77 sq. mtrs. (395.65 sq. ft.) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) housing scheme for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) at Chikhali, should be canceled.

In this regard, a memorandum has been submitted to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis. It states that under the ‘JNNURM’ scheme, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has constructed a housing project in Chikhali for the citizens belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections residing in the urban areas. There are 160 buildings at this site, providing shelter to a total of 6,720 families.

All the families residing in this housing scheme belong to the economically weaker section, comprising of daily wage earners. Their standard of living is extremely poor and they live in a state of poverty. Most of these families were earlier residing in different slum areas of the city. Additionally, with children’s education expenses and home loan installments, their financial situation remains fragile.

According to Section 140 (1) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, residential buildings or residential units with a carpet area of 46.45 sq. mtrs. (500 sq. ft.) or less are exempted from property tax. Based on this rule, the flats allotted under the housing scheme in Pimpri-Chinchwad for economically weaker sections measure 36.77 sq. mtrs. (395.65 sq. ft.). Hence, MLA Mahesh Landge has demanded that the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation should also grant permanent exemption from property tax as per Section 140 (1) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.

Poor and labor-class citizens reside in the housing scheme constructed for the economically weaker sections. According to the rules of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, property tax is not levied on housing units with an area of less than 500 sq. ft. On similar grounds, we have demanded that the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation should cancel the property tax (house tax) levied on the flats in the Chikhali housing scheme. We will follow up on this matter with a positive approach.
— Mahesh Landge, MLA, BJP, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune.