Srinagar: People living within the jurisdiction of Badami Bagh Cantonment Board have expressed resentment against property tax notices from the board.
Local news agency KNS said residents of several localities including Sonwar, Indira Nagar, Batwara, and Shivpora said that they have received property tax bills from the Board. The authorities, according to locals, have unilaterally valued their properties and assessed the amounts to be paid.
“No part of Srinagar or any other area of Jammu and Kashmir pays any tax on their own properties,” they said.
While expressing their displeasure at the decision, the residents said such a move would only add to their miseries. “On October 19, 2020 J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had made an announcement that the UT administration would not levy any property tax from the people in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“When other civic bodies including Srinagar Municipal Corporation does not levy any property tax, why Badamibagh Cantonment is unnecessarily creating anxiety among people,” they said.
“The residents are also considering various options available which include organising protests and to approach the higher authorities.
A section of people are of the opinion that they will offer their properties as and when the attachment proceedings are initiated and prefer to leave the houses and take shelter on roads even during the coming harsh winter days,” the local said. (KNS)