Opposition walks out over property tax hike

All Opposition parties on Thursday staged a walkout from the State Legislative Council in protest against the hike in property tax in municipalities and municipal corporations.

Earlier, replying to a query submitted by MLCs Pogaku Yadagiri, SV Satish Kumar Reddy and Chereupally Seetha Ramulu, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister M Maheedhar Reddy admitted that the ceiling limit on increase on property taxes has been lifted in municipalities and municipal corporations. However, he denied that the hike was abnormal in both residential and non-residential areas.

Speaking on the issue, MLC Satish Kumar Reddy said that several municipalities and municipal corporations have increased the property taxes by 100 to 500 per cent. He accused the government of burdening the common man by increasing the taxes. However, the minister clarified that the state government had no role in the property tax hike as the subject was under the jurisdiction of the local bodies.

Not convinced with the minister's reply the members belonging to the TDP, CPI, CPM and TRS staged a walk out from the council in protest.