JOIN USThe Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council on Wednesday approved the revised property tax rates for the paying guest accommodations bringing them on a par with commercial buildings.
The Council approved the proposal despite strong reservations by some of the corporators who called it a heavy burden on the tax-payers.
The rates per square foot have been fixed on the basis of six taxation zones. The rate will be Rs 20 per sq ft for A Zone, Rs 14 for B Zone, Rs 10 for C Zone, Rs 8 for D Zone, Rs 6 for E Zone and Rs 3 for F Zone.
Ruling BJP corporator from Kacharakanahalli ward, Padmanabha Reddy said the State government had gazetted the rates starting from Rs 8 per sq ft for A Zone to Rs 3 per sq ft for F Zone. He said the Palike should take into consideration how much property tax has been collected so far. He emphasised that the proposed rates will be a burden on those running the PG accommodations and urged the Mayor to defer the matter till it is discussed thoroughly in Council.
However, Yediyur corporator N R Ramesh differed with Reddy's views and demanded implementation of the new rates. He said that the Palike officials had initially stated that there were only 270 PG accommodations whereas in Bangalore South alone there were 898 PG homes.
The number may shoot up further if survey is done properly in the remaining seven zones.
In his reply, BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said the PG hostels in the City should not go unbridled. Any untoward incident in these accommodations would bring a bad name to the City.
He added that the State government's permission was sought last year, following which the Palike decided to approve the proposal. BBMP deputy commissioner (Revenue), I Ramakanth told the House that no objections had come when the draft rules were published, following which the subject was brought in the Council for approval.