East Delhi Municipal Corporation Panel Rejects New Taxes Proposed in Budget

The Standing Committee of the cash-strapped East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) on Monday rejected the three new taxes, including a professional tax and a betterment tax, proposed in its annual budget to augment its revenue. Alka R Sharma, the Additional Commissioner presented the budget in December in which an education cess of five percent of property tax had also been proposed. The Standing Committee of the EDMC in a special meeting held on Monday rejected all hikes in taxes and levying of new taxes, the civic body said in a statement.

The EDMC always works for the welfare of people, it said. The EDMC had earlier said a "professional tax at Rs. 100 per month for those earning more than Rs. 5 lakh a year; and Rs. 200 per month for those earning more than Rs. 10 lakh per month," had been proposed in the budget.

A betterment tax (for enhancement of property value due to public infrastructure development) at 15 percent of property tax had also been proposed. A total revenue of Rs. 50 crore was expected from these new taxes.