CCI calls for Jammu Bandh on Saturday Against Property Tax

Jammu, 09-03-2023 : The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has announced a call for a bandh in Jammu against the imposition of property tax in the municipal areas of Jammu and Kashmir. This decision by the government has been met with strong opposition from all sections of society across the union territory, and the CCI has voiced its concerns regarding the lack of consultation with stakeholders before the implementation of this tax.

President of the CCI, Arun Gupta, spoke out against the government’s decision and stated that the administration had not taken the sentiment of the general public into consideration. The government announced the imposition of property tax in the urban local bodies (ULBs) of the union territory on February 21, putting an end to speculations that had been rife for around a year. The tax, which is 5% for residential property and 6% for non-residential property, will be implemented from April 1.

Gupta expressed his disappointment that the stakeholders had not been consulted before the imposition of the tax. He claimed that this reflected an attitude that the administration could impose anything on the public. The CCI has always opposed such things, and people in Jammu have been asking why the organization had been silent on property tax. Gupta had been waiting for the administration to hold consultations with representatives, but it seems that the government does not care.

According to Gupta, the property tax is the prerogative of municipalities, and it should have been imposed by an elected government and urban local bodies. He also criticized Jammu Municipal Corporation Mayor Rajinder Sharma for his claims that there would be no property tax imposed in Jammu. He asked the public to question their elected representatives in the ULBs.

Gupta announced that he had appealed for a complete bandh on Saturday in opposition to the property tax. All the markets will remain shut down on Saturday, and the bandh call has support from all relevant stakeholders. The CCI’s stance on the matter is clear: the property tax should not have been imposed without proper consultation with stakeholders.

The BJP had even endorsed the Jammu Municipal Corporation Mayor’s claims that there would be no property tax in Jammu on its official twitter handle in December. However, the recent announcement of the imposition of property tax has left many residents feeling betrayed. The CCI’s call for a bandh is a clear indication of the level of dissatisfaction that the public feels towards this decision.

The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s call for a bandh against the imposition of property tax in the municipal areas of Jammu and Kashmir is a clear indication of the level of opposition that this decision has generated.  The bandh call has support from all relevant stakeholders, and the shutdown of markets on Saturday will serve as a reminder to the government that it should pay heed to the sentiment of the general public.

CCI issued a press note in the evening, which is reproduced as under :

Sh. Arun Gupta President Chamber of Commerce & Industry today addressed a Press Conference at Chamber House and while apprising the Media Persons Sh. Arun Gupta said that the government has imposed the property tax without consulting anybody and also without taking into confidence the business community and the general public. He also said that the Chamber out rightly rejects/opposes the imposition the property tax w.e.f 01-04-2023. He  said that presently the government has no land policy so that the people of J&K can get the ownership rights/lease rights. The people of Jammu are much disturbed due to non-cooperative attitude of the government and instead of giving any relief to the people government has imposed property tax which actually is the prerogative of the elected government/municipal corporation and local bodies.

He also said the government is taking the plea that the property tax is imposed all over the country and in Jammu due to the policy of Neeti Udyog the grant provided to the municipal corporations and local bodies cannot be released unless and until the property tax is imposed in J&K. we are of the view that this is the prerogative of the elected government and elected members of the municipal corporation/local bodies to impose such type of property tax. But the government bypassed the local municipal corporations/local bodies and issued the notification SRO-87 regarding the imposition of property tax in J&K. The comparison between Jammu and Chandigarh cannot be justified as Chandigarh is a fully developed UT whereas Jammu is an underdeveloped UT. Moreover as per the statements and hoardings of the government, the government is imposing meager tax whereas the property tax structure is a big jolt for the business community. Even the hoardings and the statements it is said that only 500,1000 and 2000 tax will be imposed whereas actually if we calculate the tax structure imposed on commercial areas, it is too high and even the shops which are not operational and the buildings which are not under working conditions are also liable to pay property tax. Chamber is ready to talk on the table but no such communication has been received from the government.

We on behalf of the business community of the Jammu province announce one day of peaceful Jammu Bandh on Saturday 11^th March 2023 to press the government to rescind the order of imposing the property tax and if the government fails to understand the feeling of the Jammu people than we shall have no other alternative but to announce continuous shut down of business establishments.

Prominent among others present in the Press Conference include Sh. Happy Singh, President Yuva Rajput Sabha & his team, Sh. Anil Gupta, Sr. Vice President CCI, Sh. Rajeev Gupta, Jr. Vice President CCI, Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Secretary CCI, Sh. Sanjay Kumar, President Raghunath BAzar Businessmen Association, Sh. Ashish Gupta, General Secretary Kanak Mandi, Sh. Suraj Parkash, President BC Road, Sh. Ramesh Tak, President Bus Stand, Sh. Anil Gupta, Bahu Plaza, Sh. Surinder Mahajan, Puranimandi , Sh. Vishal Gupta, President Canal Road, Sh. Rajan Gupta, General Secretary, Bus stand, Sh. Ravinder Sawhney and others.