Withdraw ‘Jazia’ imposed in the garb of property tax or face consequences: Rattan Lal

JAMMU, February 22: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) while strongly condemning the property tax imposed by the government in J&K termed it as ‘Jazia’ on the common people not only to impoverish them but making their lives further miserable. He demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification issued in this regard by J&K Administration the other day because it is  unjustified, arbitrary and against the norms of democracy as it directly affects the people of J&K.

It is pertinent to mention here that the J&K administration has issued a notification ordering imposition of Property Tax in Municipal areas of Jammu and Kashmir from 1st April 2023 with tax rates being five per cent of Taxable Annual Value (TAV) for residential properties and six per cent for commercial properties. However, residential houses up to a built-up area of 1000 square feet have been exempted from the purview of Property Tax while smaller assets have been taxed at very lower rates.  

In a statement issued here today, the senior National Conference leader said that the incumbent J&K Administration which is running BJP’s proxy government in J&K has been thrusting only anti people policies as per their fixed agenda on the people. He said that instead of providing some relief to the people in J&K, the BJP Government earlier imposed GST on essential commodities and now it has hit them below the belt by imposing ‘Jazia’ in the garb of ‘Property Tax’. He said that this draconian step of the Govt is undoubtedly going to crush the middle class people who are yet to come out of the adverse economic impact of the Covid pandemic.

Rattan Lal Gupta said that today the people of Jammu and Kashmir are feeling betrayed by the abrogation of Art  370 and 35 A  as the situation has turned from bad to worse post abrogation. He said that unemployment continues to be on the rise breaking all records, inflation and prices of essential commodities touching the sky and last but not the least anti farmer policies. Thus every section of the society stands adversely affected by the anti people policies of the BJP Govt, he asserted. Mr Gupta also reminded the L.G Sh Manoj Sinha regarding the assurances made by him two years ago that no property tax would be imposed in J&K UT but it is unfortunate that he could not honor his own commitment.

Meanwhile, the senior NC leader reiterated the demand to withdraw the order imposing property tax at the earliest failing which National Conference workers and activists will come on roads in support of the people affected by the J&K Administration’s order.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)