There is a matter of big relief for the residents of Dwarka, because Consistent efforts of leading activists from Dwarka and a delegation lead by Mukesh Sinha, Managing Editor Dwarka City-a leading local newspaper, along with the representatives of Federation Of CGHS Dwarka, Association Of Suffering Members of CGHS, Dwarka Guru Singh Sabha, Assocition of Social And Cultural Events and Sarv Samaj Vikas trust, had a fruitful meeting with Chairman of Standing Committee, MCD Mr Yogender Chandolia. Ultimately, the property tax waived off on Dwarkaites for the use of common areas. “This is real victory for Dwarkaites. We all are relieved that now we will not have to pay such hefty amount annually.”Says C M Mathew, President of Federation Of CGHS, Ashok Kumar of Association of Suffering Members of CGHS, “Dwarka comprises of educated middle class and property tax on common area was an extra burden on the pockets of the residents. It was when everything was going hunky dory in the affairs of CGHS, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had played spoilsport and dealt out a real dampener for Dwarkaites.”
The MCD announced that it will charge an annual tax on all common facilities existing in housing societies such as the guard rooms, stairs and green areas etc since 2004. This averages expenses were working out to about fifty thousands for every home in these 500-odd societies. Even guard rooms, clubhouses, community centres and swimming pools inside the society were to be taxed. The group housing societies were served property tax arrear notices by the MCD from September 2011. The MCD said that property tax has to be paid from the time the land for flats was allotted. This meant that if a society took four years to allot flats, even that period was be taxed.
Mukesh Sinha-young & energetic social activist took 100 letters signed by RWA Presidents requesting waiver of Property tax in common area. Sinha pointed out that, “There is little justification in levying this tax since the area is not used for personal or commercial use. This is a common facility and is not liable for being taxed. The MCD should consider this factor.” N Raja, a member of the delegation also had a point, “This area should not be counted in the floor area or covered area as is the case for residential areas. These are not owned by any specific individual and hence levying a tax on it on a commercial basis is not reasonable.”
This furor was after the statement of M S A Khan, assessor and collector, MCD. “Each society collectively owes us between Rs 1 crore and 1.25 crore. Even societies caught in legal battles will not be spared.” In a letter to C.M.Mathew, President of Federation of CGHS Dwarka MSA Khan had elaborated that common facilities cannot be termed as public convenience since the same are limited for the use and enjoyment of the members of CGHS only and are not open for general public. Thus besides filing of individual PTR by each flat owner of CGHS, the CGHS must also file PTR and pay property tax in respect of common facilities made available in CGHS. However, after the delegation met the Chairman, Yogender Chandolia, at civic centre, he softened his stand and now the property taxes on common areas have been exempted. Says Mukesh Sinha, “This was a major issue that was irking the residents of Dwarka and waiver of this tax is a collective win for all Dwarkaites.”The other members of delegation were Nasim Ahmad, R S Agrawal, Devesh Mathur, Ramesh Tiwari and Devender Paul.
