No property tax on 40% of J&K population; remaining to pay between Rs 600 to Rs 1000 annually: LG
Inaugurates power infrastructure projects worth Rs 192 crores; Civil Services Officers Institute at Srinagar
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that 40 percent of the J&K population will have to pay no property tax and the remaining 60 percent have to pay a nominal amount between Rs 600 to Rs 1000 maximum amount per annum.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at SKICC here, the LG said in J&K, 2,03,680 households are on less than 1,500 Sq feet.
“Forty percent of the people won’t have to pay the tax. Eighty percent of the 2,0,3680 households will have to pay a nominal amount of Rs 600 only while the rest will have to pay a nominal amount of Rs 1000 as property tax per annum. This amount is one-tenth of the tax amount being paid by Shimla, Ambala and Dehradun,” LG Sinha said.
About the commercial buildings including shops, the LG said that 1,01,000 shops are in J&K of which 42 percent of shops are on less than 100 sq feet.
“These shops will have to pay less than Rs 700 per annum. 76 percent of the total shops of 1,1000 shops will have to pay very minimum amount as the property tax,” he said, adding that the amount collected will directly go into the accounts of Municipal Corporations and utilized for the development of the areas where tax will be collected.
“I urge the common people of J&K to come forward and help build a better J&K,” the LG said.
The J&K government announced imposition of property tax in the UT from April 01. The move evoked sharp criticism from the cross-section of society and the political parties, who demanded immediate rollback of the order.
The LG also said the administration will ensure common people don’t face any inconvenience. Every decision will be made in the interest of the people. Administration and responsible citizens must make others aware of the property tax and how we can contribute in transforming the cities as engines of growth, he added.
The property tax in Jammu and Kashmir is the least as compared to other states, he said.
Earlier, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated power infrastructure projects worth Rs.192 crores, an official press release informed.
It said the 25 projects inaugurated included 22 receiving stations costing Rs 50 cr; Smart Metering project costing Rs 62.88 cr and Smart Metering App – Smart Bill Sahuliyat, and Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition system at a cost of Rs 79.27 cr.
In presence of the LG, KPDCL and JPDCL signed MoUs worth Rs 1814 Cr & Rs 2174 Cr, respectively, with PESL (PGCIL), RECPDCL & NTPC for implementation of Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). It will strengthen distribution infrastructure and improve electricity supply to urban & rural areas, the release said.
Dedicating the power infrastructure projects to the people, the LG said the projects inaugurated today will add to the existing distribution capacity and provide quality power supply to the households and existing & upcoming industrial units in the respective areas.
“The completion of projects under the MoUs signed today will go a long way to achieve the goal of providing 24×7 quality power to the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he added.
“We have made dedicated efforts to increase generation, transmission and distribution capacity and ensured that the people of J&K have access to hassle-free power supply,” the LG observed.
“Projects undertaken for creation of new receiving stations and augmentation of existing stations will ensure quality and reliable power supply to people. We have achieved huge capacity addition under Centrally Sponsored Schemes/PMDP projects. Out of 195 projects, 135 have been completed and the remaining 60 projects will be completed in coming months,” the LG noted.
The power scenario in Jammu & Kashmir, “which was in shambles for decades, has witnessed a major turnaround with more electricity being supplied, especially in far-flung areas as compared to previous years,” said the LG.
“In Kashmir valley, additional capacities were created during the winter to enable peak demand and 10 percent more power was supplied as compared to last year. For the first time, in a single year out of total 30 grid stations, 11 stations have been augmented,” he added.
Power supply position in the Jammu region has improved after addition of new system capacities.
“These initiatives exemplify our commitment for inclusive development and to fulfil the needs of the common man,” the LG added.
The LG also highlighted the reforms introduced in the last three years to improve the power infrastructure; enhance power sustainability & efficiency in the UT.
Under PMDP and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, a well-planned, systematic and comprehensive program is being implemented for improvement and upgradation of transmission & distribution infrastructure to streamline and strengthen the power supply across J&K, he said.
The target of 1727 MVA capacity addition has been achieved at 220 and 132 KV levels and a 236 circuit km transmission line has been laid. We have added 2345 MVA capacity in the distribution sector and 8550 new distribution transformers have been installed in residential areas. Four mega hydro projects will be completed in the coming years.
In the first phase of the smart metering project, 57,000 meters have been installed and 1.25 lakh smart meters will be installed during Phase II, he informed.
The LG directed the officials to avail the benefit of RDSS scheme.
Officers must evaluate the implementation of the Power Amnesty scheme, and make dedicated efforts to reduce AT&C losses. Remove apprehensions of people. Spread awareness regarding smart meters, he added.
Meanwhile, LG today inaugurated Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI), here at M A Road.
Speaking on the occasion, the LG said the institute will promote welfare of officers, integration of services and organize seminars, symposiums to meet the needs and challenges of civil administration.
The LG also interacted with the officers present on the occasion and suggested establishing and maintaining libraries and information services to facilitate the officers.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; RK Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department; Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner, Science & Technology and other senior officers of Police and Civil administration were present.
