Recently, Minister for Municipal Administration, SP Velumani had ordered for the stoppage of property tax collection in the neighbourhood after members of United Welfare Association – Ambattur (UWAA) met him in person.
However, officials from the Revenue Department said they are did not receive word on it.
Representatives of UWAA met the Minister once again a few days ago and urged him to take action on the matter. The Minister obliged and now officials state that they have been asked to stop tax collection for residences in the neighbourhood.
“We have got several representations from the residents welfare associations in Ambattur stating that the taxes are high in the neighbourhood. They submitted a petition to Minister S P Velumani and the same has been forwarded to us,” said an official upon condition of anonymity.
“We have been asked not to force residents to pay the taxes. We will wait till further instructions arrive,” said the official. However, because the officials have been asked to freeze tax collection from residents alone, officials said they will continue to collect taxes from commercial establishments.
All in all, of the 1.10 lakh assessments, only 35 per cent collection has been done. Officials have so far received Rs 850 crore in property taxes and aim to cross Rs 1,000 crore soon. It must be noted that more than 2,000 appeals from Ambattur regarding the issue are pending with the civic body.
In the wake of this, members of UWAA met last week. The meeting saw 70 people from different associations come together to discuss about the steps taken on the matter.
Representatives from associations from Mugappair and Anna Nagar Western Extension also took part in the meeting as their neighbourhood also comes under zone seven like Ambattur does.
“The residents were very happy and appreciated the efforts taken by the UWAA. It was decided to meet the Minister again after elections and request him to reduce the property tax to a reasonable level,” said Suresh, the general secretary of UWAA.