CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Local citizen groups are advocating for property tax relief akin to that enjoyed by residents of Mumbai, where exemptions apply for properties up to 700 square feet.
Rajendra Datey Patil from the ‘People’s Forum for Social Cause’ has formally requested a property tax waiver for homes up to 1,000 square feet in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar through a memorandum submitted to the state government.
“Although this proposed waiver could affect the municipal corporation’s finances, alternative funding sources can be explored to address the shortfall. We anticipate that the municipal corporation will pass a resolution in favor of this waiver and send it to the state government for approval,” Patil remarked.
Resident Navin Pathak emphasized that the government should not set different standards for metropolitan areas when it comes to tax relief. “Since both the Mumbai and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar municipal corporations are governed by the BJP, equity demands that if one city receives a waiver, the other should as well,” he stated.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) collected Rs 157.7 crore in property tax for the 2024-25 fiscal year, with expectations for further recovery. Mayor Sameer Rajurkar was unavailable for comment regarding these demands.
However, a senior CSMC tax department official, speaking confidentially, pointed out significant financial differences between the two cities. “The revenue generation of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) far exceeds that of the CSMC. The BMC is among the wealthiest municipal entities in Asia, managing a staggering budget over 74,000 crore. Conversely, the CSMC is financially constrained, making it unwise to forgo property tax collections at this point,” the official explained.
