From now on, all former defence personnel living in the twin-city will be exempted from paying general property tax to the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC). However, either the ex-servicemen should be born in Maharashtra or those from other states should be dwelling here for the last 15 years having his/her own house.
The MBMC had been giving 100 per cent waiver in the general property tax to all ex-servicemen living in legal buildings since 2010. While other levies including tree tax, sewage tax and education tax had to be paid. Those living in properties/ structures declared illegal by the civic administration were deprived of the benefits.
In accordance to the new policy framed by the state government authorities in November last year, ex-defence personnel should be a domicile of Maharashtra to avail the exemption. The personnel will have to submit a certificate issued by the District Soldier Welfare Office.
Keeping in mind that the newly drafted policy does not mention those living in illegal buildings, the general body passed a resolution on Wednesday extending the scheme to occupants of illegal structures as well.
“The ex-defence personnel have protected the country selflessly by putting their lives at stake. It is necessary to recognise their contribution and boost their morale. Just because the building in which they stay is illegal, we cannot deprive them of exemptions. A resolution has been passed to this effect in the house,” said Leader of House Prashant Dalvi.
As per official records sourced out from the tax department, around 409 ex-defence personnel living in the twin-city had availed of the tax exemptions totaling Rs. 9,38,926 in the last fiscal. The tax department has projected property tax collections amounting 244 crore for the current fiscal and the assessed number of properties in the twin-city is currently pegged at around 3,68,501 including 63,498 commercial and 3,05,003 residential units.
