Congress protests against property tax hike

Congress protests against property tax hike

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 16: The DK District Congress staged a protest in front of the DC’s office on May 16, Monday, against the hike in SAS tax by the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC). 

In his protest address, Vijay Kumar Shetty, the former MLA and Congress leader, condemned the BJP’s move to increase by 15 percent the property tax collected through self-assessment scheme (SAS). Condemning the MCC’s decision to hike property taxes without discussing it with the general public and the opposition party, he said that the MCC commissioner had the power to stop the tax hike, but did not do so. 

Protesting against the transfer of DC Subodh Yadav, he said that District-in-charge Minister Krishna J. Palemar is responsible for the transfer of sincere officers such as V. Ponnuraj and Subodh Yadav. Commenting on DC Chennappa Gowda, he said that the people of DK know him very well and are aware of his lack of efficiency. He added that DK does not require such officers.
Ramanath Rai, the MLA of Bantwal, said that the first big work done by the BJP-led government is to increase the tax, putting crores of people in trouble. Flaying the dictatorial attitude of the MCC, he said that the state government should withdraw SAS. 

Lancelot Pinto, the opposition leader of MCC, said that the ruling party should have discussed the tax hike issue in the council meeting before taking a decision. 

Ivan D’Souza, the general secretary of KPCC; Shashidhar Hegde, Suresh Ballal, and others were also present.