MCG Offers Tax Waiver for Self-Occupied Property in Gurgaon for 2008-2010
The vibrant and all-important MCG has rightfully decided to completely waive off property tax for the entire financial years of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. This much-awaited and instantly welcomed relief will be extended only to self-occupied residences where the owners have no pending tax dues whatsoever till the year 2008. This waiver is expected to ease the financial burden for many owners of property in Gurgaon, allowing them some relief from municipal taxes. As per the mighty MCG, property taxes of all those who have already paid for the given period will be fairly and instantly adjusted against all future tax payments.
A highly reliable tax department official pointed out that the councilors have fiercely demanded that all the residents of self-occupied homes should be provided relief almost instantly for these two financial years, and thus, the MCG has consequently decided against levying the property tax. This provision, however, will apply only to those who fulfill the stated criteria. The house owners will have to provide MCG in writing that they have not leased out their residential property. This necessary document does not have to be an affidavit but can also be a self-attested letter, which should suffice. In the case that someone has already paid their tax liability for the given period, it will be adjusted without any hassles. Such measures reflect MCG’s sensitivity towards real estate in Gurgaon, especially in self-occupied sectors.
Some esteemed councilors, however, are quick to point out that the in-power MCG should not levy and collect any property tax at all until it fully takes over the stated private builder areas and starts providing all the basic and luxury amenities in the restricted 900-meter long IAF depot area. Renowned Ward-1 councilor, Mr. Rishi Raj Rana, stated that the MCG should first provide and extend services and only then demand property tax. Residents of the key area within the 900-meter crucial zone do not even have clean water or necessary sewerage facilities. If MCG fails to provide these basic amenities, then the entire 2,000-plus residents of the region are expected to protest in the next meeting.
So, there is no doubt that the decision to waive off property tax is a good one and very timely. However, it’s also reasonable to expect that MCG should rightfully earn the money it collects from the residents of residential property in Gurgaon by providing adequate facilities. As the main goal of any public service agency should be to ensure societal benefits, financial gains should be the last thing on their mind. The people of the millennium city have their fingers crossed that the government authority will do the right thing and extend some much-needed relief in their direction.
