Pune State Minister for Urban Development, Prajakt Tanpure, had rejected the demand to reduce property tax in the fringe areas merged with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). He declined the demand of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of these areas to bring down the property tax in 34 merged villages during the state assembly session. He told the media that the PMC had provided facilities in these merged villages. The tax has been increased in phases, and it is not appropriate to reduce property tax. These areas include 11 villages merged into the limits of the civic body in 2017 that pay taxes according to the PMC rates. Before 2017, they paid taxes, as per the gram panchayat rates. In 2021, the civic body merged 23 more villages into its limits and properties in these villages have to pay taxes according to the PMC rates. But the residents, corporators and MLAs of these areas are against the move since very few civic facilities have been provided to these areas, which are not adequate. Sanjay Jagtap, MLA of Purandar, said the merged areas had no adequate facilities, with a limited water supply and poor drainage system. He added that the increase in property tax from the gram panchayat level to the PMC rates is massive. The rates should remain at the gram panchayat levels till 2024. Bhimrao Tapkir, MLA of Khadakwasla told the media that the proposal of reducing property tax for merged villages should be considered by the state government. It will bring huge relief for the locals as they are already suffering from issues of water scarcity and garbage dumping. Minister Tanpure told the media that the civic body had drafted a master plan for sewage treatment and fulfilled water needs through water tankers. Around Rs 60 crore have already been spent on improving the infrastructure of the merged villages, and more funds are to be given. He added that a meeting would be held with local MLAs to improve the situation on the ground. PMC will be instructed to increase the pace of development works in merged villages. Image Source Also read: PMC allocates Rs 500 cr for basic amenities in 34 merged villages