Conflict over property tax in Khed Panchayat

An enraged Mahendra Desai criticised the stand taken by Dr. Uttekar and declared that Dr. Uttekar instigated the villagers to go against the ruling party. A release at a press conference called by Desai said Dr. Uttekar wants to popularise himself in the area because he is planning to contest the next assembly elections.” A section of the local press carried the news the next day which annoyed Dr Uttekar.

To make his stand clear, Dr. Uttekar called a press conference on September 16 and explained, “The CPT could have been reduced if proper procedures were followed by the ruling group. The Zilla Parishad authorities should also have been consulted in order to minimise the tax. Generally 2 per cent of the total value of the property is CPT but it can be adjusted while the assessment is carried on. “The ruling party neither discussed the matter in the general body nor with the ZP authorities. It simply imposed it,” he said.