NC rues property tax on residents of BB Cantonment area

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday expressed dismay over imposition and charging of property tax by the Cantonment Board in Srinagar areas under its jurisdiction, saying ‘the people are in dire straits and lack the capacity to pay the tax.’

Expressing concern over the new wave of anxiety created among people by the property tax notices being served to people by the cantonment, a party youth leader, Ahsan Pardesi, a resident of the cantonment area, questioned the cantonment authorities on “pressurizing the people to pay exorbitant property tax”.

“Prevailing condition of people is not conducive for levying taxes as the local economy and individual incomes have suffered major reverses since the 2014 deluge, the condition was further compounded by the subsequent tumultuous situation, and series of Clamp down and Covid-19 induced lock down. The measures have panicked the middle and lower middle class families in the entire stretch of Srinagar falling within the jurisdiction of cantonment. What is adding salt to the wound is the unilateral evaluation of properties and assessment of the amounts to be paid,” he said.