Thursday, March 17 2005 18:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: The city corporation has continuously put citizens of Bangalore to hardship due to the 'unscientific' imposition of property tax, former Chief Minister of Karnataka M Veerappa Moily said today (Mar 17, 2005).

He was addressing the symposium on 'Property Tax system in City Corporation' organized by 'Citizens Voice'.

"Self-Assessment of property is a significant scheme. But, it has failed due to loopholes in implementation process," he said.

"If the tax were imposed based on scientific approach and by taking into account the commercial aspect of roads and localities, no one would object it. It would amount to monopoly of the Government if people are not taken into confidence," Moily emphasised.

D L Jagadish, president of Bangalore Advocates' Bar Association said that the city corporation is testing the patience of Bangaloreans and called for transparency in tax system.

"The corporation has increased the property tax and on the other hand it has misused its own property. Bangaloreans have been made scapegoats in the process," he said.

Government is spending Rs 200 crore to study the present scenario of Bangalore. But, no one has a clear idea about how to go further. This has lead to all confusions, he added.

Is it right to impose tax on everything? What should be the percentage of tax? Is cess on vehicles necessary? Is the amount collected through tax used aptly? These were some of the issues discussed in the seminar.

Ramesh Ramanathan, campaign coordinator of Janaagraha and former chief secretary of Karnataka A Ravindra presented their views on tax system.