Srinagar, Oct 9: Awami National Conference Friday lambasted the BJP Government for its decision of empowering the Jammu and Kashmir administration to impose Property Tax through the Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees in their respective areas.
Awami National Conference Senior Vice President, Muzaffar Shah said that it has become a routine for BJP Government to bring amendments in existing laws. “Eleven laws have been changed in recent past to harass the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier Cooperative banks that were introduced by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah were attacked and now this unjust property tax is being enforced on people. This is grave injustice. People are already reeling under the financial crunches due to slowdown of economy and this unnecessary and extra property tax will add more burden on them,” he said.
Shah said that 83% of Kashmir population is commoners who are neither government employees nor traders. They do not have even money to arrange two meals and the imposition of property tax seems to be an illogical and illicit decision by the Union Government.
“Instead of these decisions; Govt of India that owes Rs one lakh crore to us should give us that money. We have suffered such a huge losses due to abrogation of special status, enforced shutdown and Covid pandemic. If Government of India wants to exact property tax from the people of Jammu and Kashmir then they should contact our ancestors who are the real owners of the properties sleeping in the Malkha graveyard. Come and visit Malkha and demand property tax from them,” he said.
Shah said since the abrogation of Article 370 and outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment has grown while people are depressed and stressed and such a step will further add to their miseries.
He said it is an anti-people decision aimed at sheer harassment. (KNT)