Sir,

This refers to U.B. Acharya’s letter titled “Is MCC fleecing honest citizens?” in SOM dated Aug. 3, 2021. The title conveys the unhappiness of a citizen of the city who argues that the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has imposed a levy which he feels he has been short-changed and unfair.

He further justifies why he feels so and the lack of wisdom in doing so on the part of the authorities. There are many amongst us who feel the same regarding the steep escalation of house tax which is approximately 65 percent compared to previous year.

Why should the value of an old house increase for purpose of tax when strictly speaking should decrease with age. In the total revised tax payable, vacant land constitutes 33 percent. What is the justification of levying a tax on vacant land?

Let us for a moment assume that there is a justification for all the above. Is not the MCC required to give an explanation when sought for? Does this silence not convey that the MCC can do what it wants and is not answerable to its citizens?

When the MCC did not respond, the elected representatives should have come forward to offer an explanation or set right the wrong doing if any. This indifference both by the statutory authorities and the elected representatives is a shame !

How can senior citizens, who have retired and who live on their limited savings, afford to pay a levy which is unjustifiable? The increase in property values with efflux of time does not proportionately increase one’s savings. Let us not forget the value of the rupee is continuously depreciating and people who have no additional support suffer in silence. A situation may soon come when one cannot afford to live in his own house in the urban area and is forced to sell to pay increased levies.

One of the causes of global warming and increased temperatures in urban areas is due to depleting green cover and increase in concrete structures. Buildings, roads, sidewalks, parking lots reflect heat contributing to increased temperatures. There is enough and more studies to prove this.

Instead of encouraging people to leave more open spaces around their homes to grow more trees, people are being punished for doing so.

Interestingly, another letter appearing in SOM dated Aug. 7, 2021 under the heading “Site owner’s woes” by Jyothi Poonacha Kodira reveals that MUDA, another statutory authority had charged a fee for clearing a site of debris. The photo appearing with the letter shows that the work was not carried out but a fee was collected.

When asked for a refund, the response by the official concerned was that it being a Government order, no refund was possible!

Policies and rules of a country should encourage citizens become more honest and reward those who comply with it. On the contrary, one is being punished and habitual defaulters go scot-free.

A more effective and transparent tax collection system will not burden a few who pay the dues regularly. Will our City Corporation Commissioner and elected representatives please respond ?

– Ashvini Ranjan, Mysuru, 12.8.2021

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