PMC withdraws tax proposal for making changes

The PMC had also proposed an increase in water charges-doubling it for domestic consumers and an increase of one-and-half times for commercial establishments. The hike in water charges would enable an additional revenue of Rs 136.57 crore for PMC.

The revenue collection from property tax was estimated to be Rs 1,289.97 crore if the hike is approved, a civic official said. He added that the hike is necessary considering the decline in revenue from local body tax.

In another proposal, the elected representatives pointed out that the civic body has around 9,000 vacant apartments within its jursdiction in return of approval of real estate projects under certain PMC schemes. “These apartments are lying vacant and the civic body has to spend a lot for their maintenance and security. Thus, the PMC should make maximum use of it,” Kadam said.

The PMC standing committee also approved the civic administration’s proposal to start a super-specialty hospital for eye care on Bhau Patil Road in Bopodi and assign social organisations to run it for 30 years. It had already clarified that 61 ailments at the eye centre would be treated according to central government health scheme (CGHS) rates and other ailments as per state government rates.