4 new Bidhannagar civic body ward to come under property tax

Residents of four wards located in the outskirts of Salt Lake, who have been paying 'khajna' or land revenue to the local panchayat or BLRO office, will soon be obligated to pay property tax to the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) starting from April 1, 2024. Additionally, they will have the option to undergo mutation processes. However, residents have expressed concerns, citing that despite the increased tax burden, civic services in these areas lag significantly behind those available in the rest of Bidhannagar. Until now, the residents of wards 27, 28, 35, and 36, encompassing Mahishbathan, Nayapatti, and a substantial area off EM Bypass, were not subject to property tax. These localities were integrated into the jurisdiction of the former Bidhannagar municipality and were later designated as separate wards when the municipality was elevated to a corporation status in 2015. A resident of Nayapatti commented on the development, saying, This is much needed. Though residing within a municipal corporation area, these areas are still underdeveloped. We hope that services will improve once we start paying property tax. The impending imposition of property tax is expected to bring about a change in the provision of essential services and infrastructure development in these areas on the outskirts of Salt Lake.