SHIMLA------The High Court of H.P. today directed the Shimla Municipal Corporation to file affidavit before March 26, indicating whether they have recovered House Tax dues relating to Financial Year 2012-13 and on what basis this tax has been recovered.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a petition taken up suo moto by the Court on a news item regarding non-realization of house tax by the M.C., Shimla.
In an earlier order dated 22.03.2013, the High Court had directed the M.C., Shimla to collect house tax as per old system subject to determination of new system of levying tax, which was to be adjusted in case there is change in methodology of collection tax. Further on 29.04.2013, The High Court directed the MC to frame bye-laws in this regard forthwith.
The Special House of the Corporation had resolved to obtain views of general public by public hearing for decision on proposed draft bye-laws regarding levy of tax on Unit Area Method. Public hearing was held on 17th and 18th January and special meeting of the House on the subject was convened on 22.01.2014, which resolved that tax system should be reasonable and there should be provision of exemption for certain categories like agricultural land, area classified as green belt, for single ladies, widows, senior citizens above 80 years, property occupied for self-purposes. The matter was referred to the State govt. for amendment in existing provisions of Unit Area Tax method by re-amending the HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, which is pending before the State govt.
The M.C. today filed an application in the High Court to permit it to raise bills of House Tax for Financial year 2013-14 on old pattern till the time the State govt. takes a final decision on the resolution dated 22.01.2014 of M.C. House as Rs. 2.5 crore is due from various Central govt., State govt. departments, Corporations, Boards etc. and M.C. was not in position to realize this amount and Financial Year was coming to close on March 31, on which date the budget will lapse.
The Court posted the matter for March 26.
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**VijyenderSharma*, Press Correspondent Bohan Dehra Road JAWALAMUKHI-176031, Kangra HP(INDIA)*
Contact Number is 09736276343Mobile
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