The opposition Congress in MCD on Tuesday staged a sit-in at the headquarters of the civic body protesting against the proposals for hike in property tax and introduction of professional tax in its 2010-11 budget. Congress councillors,led by Leader of Opposition J K Sharma,sat on a dharna at the Town Hall here carrying placards like 'MCD me bhajpa ki sarkar,janta par tax ki maar' (BJP rule in MCD,burden of tax on people). Sharma slammed the proposed increase of five per cent in rates of property tax and 20 per cent tax on non-residential properties given on rent and higher categories of properties in non-residential category like hotels,malls and AC gyms. He also strongly condemned the proposal of levying professional tax. BJP leaders,including Mayor Kanwar Sain,had said these budget proposals unveiled last week were made by the Municipal Commissioner and whether to adopt them or not will be decided after discussions within the party. "We will ensure that the citizens of Delhi are not burdened further," Sain had said. However,Sharma charged that the Commissioner would not have brought the proposals "without the whims of BJP".
