BJP to agitate against tax hike in Andhra Pardesh

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh BJP president Somu Veerraju has taken objection to the “motivated” action of non-use of the PMAY name on the houses constructed by the state government with central government funds.

Addressing the media here on Monday, Veerraju criticised several steps of the YSRC government and said the BJP will oppose the property tax hike and the proposed tax on garbage collection being implemented by the state government.

Veerraju said that while the Modi government sanctioned funds for the housing scheme, the YSRC government is giving its own names to the housing scheme by hiding the fact of fund support from the Centre to the state scheme.

The Union urban development ministry has sanctioned funds for 23 lakh pucca houses in AP state but the state government gave consent for construction of only 15 lakh houses. Under this project, the Union Government is giving the state Rs 23,000 crore, he said.

Veerraju said the state government constructed approach roads for the housing colonies at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. A total of Rs 7,000 crore was spent for purchase of lands to mark out the house sites for 30 lakh beneficiaries. There is no contribution from the state government for the housing scheme. Now, it is demanding Rs 4,000 crore from the Centre for extending basic amenities in the colonies, and this is objectionable, he said.

The BJP leader alleged that all the welfare schemes implemented by the Jagan government were funded by the central government. But the state, by changing their names, is claiming these as its own schemes.

Objecting to the hike in property tax and imposing of a new tax on garbage collection, he said the BJP and the Jana Sena would hold protests against these decisions. Veerraju said the BJP is against the anti-people policies of the YSRC government and would continue it agitation at all levels for the sake of the people.

Meanwhile, the AP urban citizens’ forum said it would conduct state-wide protests on June 16 and 17 seeking the rollback of the increased property tax and the new tax on garage collection.

APUCF leaders alleged that the state government was increasing taxes on the directions of the BJP-led Union Government and demanded that the BJP leaders pressurize Prime Minister Narendra Modi to veto the tax hike.

Addressing a press meet here, Babu Rao said the Modi government introduced ‘asset value based house tax’ with user charges under tax reforms. Its implementation was made mandatory for the states to get fresh loans. The YSRC, which came to power by promising no fresh taxes, forgot the same and surrendered to the BJP government by implementing the tax hike decision.

He recalled that while in Opposition, Jagan Mohan Reddy had severely opposed tax hikes. “Now, he is increasing property tax and putting a huge financial burden on the people so as to continue the good relations with PM Modi for his personal benefits and to get '2,500 crore as fresh loan for the government.” 

“We have already submitted memorandums to the municipal administration minister Botsa Satyanarayana and higher officials seeking cancelling of the tax hike decision and garbage tax, but in vain. Hence, the APUCF would hold protests on June 16 and 17 in 13 districts of the state.