Proposal to impose tax on agri land shelved for now Mayor

  • | Monday | 11th February, 2019

Nashik: Scores of agriculture land owners in the city can heave a sigh of relief as Nashik Municipal Corporation on Monday announced that it would keep in abeyance a proposal to tax agriculture land. Considering tax of all the municipal corporations, there is no need to change tax fixed here. For construction on more 1,000 sq ft two times of the annual tax will be charged as fine besides regular property tax. But if it is agriculture land and used for some other purpose, we will impose tax and fine,” Game said.He added that in no development zones the earlier tax rate will prevail.“Earlier tax was as per carpet area. Last year the general body had resolved to entirely cancel rateable tax value that is fixed annually.To a question regarding this resolution Bhansi said, “We have taken the first step on tax for agriculture land.

Nashik: Scores of agriculture land owners in the city can heave a sigh of relief as Nashik Municipal Corporation on Monday announced that it would keep in abeyance a proposal to tax agriculture land. NMC also took a decision on 59,600 properties that were surveyed by a private agency and were set to come under the new tax net.Former civic chief Tukaram Mundhe had proposed tax on agriculture land based on rateable value that is fixed annually. Addressing the media, Mayor Ranjana Bhansi and civic chief Radhakrishna Game said the proposed tax has been kept in abeyance at present.The civic administration has sought guidance from the state government on definition of land. Till the government replies, the tax on agriculture will be stayed. The tax levied was 40 paise per sq m. It was later brought down to 3 paise by Mundhe.“At present, we are not levying any tax on lands where farming is done in any zone (yellow or green).We have stayed levying tax on such lands. We have sought guidance from the state government on definition of land. Till we get the guidance we are staying tax on agriculture lands. But if it is agriculture land and used for some other purpose, we will impose tax and fine,” Game said.He added that in no development zones the earlier tax rate will prevail.“Earlier tax was as per carpet area. In between there was discussion about charging as per built up area. Now we have decided to charge as per carpet area. In case of these 59,600 buildings, we have made three divisions,” Game said. Buildings that are being used without receiving occupancy certificate will be charged three times the tax as per the type of use and as per the residential/non-residential tax fixed for that area. Three times include regular tax plus twice the fine amount.For unauthorised constructions, up to 600 sq mt residential construction there will be no penal charges, for 601-1000 sq mt residential construction 50 percent of the annual property tax will be charged as fine besides charging regular property tax. For construction on more 1,000 sq ft two times of the annual tax will be charged as fine besides regular property tax. Also, tax will be imposed on parking of new buildings.As per DCPR it is mandatory to leave margin space. So no tax will be charged. Where there is no layout tax will not be levied but if there is layout on a plot tax will be levied. Last year the general body had resolved to entirely cancel rateable tax value that is fixed annually.To a question regarding this resolution Bhansi said, “We have taken the first step on tax for agriculture land. This was a major issue.” Game added, “We are going ahead with the previous decision on tax. There will be a great difference in revenue. We expect Rs 21 crore from these properties. Considering tax of all the municipal corporations, there is no need to change tax fixed here. It has not been raised for years. Our revenue comes from GST grant, town planning department, property and water tax. If we want to have infrastructure development, then we need funds as well.”

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