KALYAN: The residents of Palava township, the states first integrated township project in Dombivli, got major relief as the state government finally decided to grant 66% property tax rebate to them. The residents here until now have been paying double property taxes. While the townships Palava City Management Association (PCMA) has been charging residents for providing basic amenities and infrastructure, residents have also been paying taxes for the same to Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).The decision was taken on Monday in a meeting called by Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Dr Shrikant Shinde and public works department minister Ravindra Chavan, who is also MLA from Dombivli.It may be recalled that Palava township is spread in 1000s of acres of land situated in Nilje, Katai, Ghesar, Usarghar, Mangaon and Hedootne areas.According to a 2016 circular issued by the states Urban Development (UD) department, an intregreted township that provides common amenities, utilities and infrastructure-like roads, street light, garden, sewerage treatment plant, solid waste management and transport facilities- will be entitled to get a 66% rebate in property tax. The developer of Palava township provides all facilities and additionally, they have their own fire brigade system and there is no burden on the municipal corporation. Despite this, they were not given rebate in tax.Kalyan MP Shinde said, The decision will help around 26,000 property holders residings in Palava township who were till now paying Rs 6,000 per flat per year. Now, they will have to pay just Rs 2,000 per flat".The move was welcomed by all residents. Prem Shukla who resides in Palava said, We are very happy that before Diwali state government has given us major relief because earlier we used to pay taxes to KDMC as well as Palava City Managment Association.However, MNS MLA Pramod (Raju) Patil who held several meetings over the issue welcomed the decision and demanded KDMC to adjust the extra money ( approximately Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore) paid by the Palava residents in future bills.

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