Property Tax Rebate Extended
In Ghaziabad, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation offers 20% rebate on property tax payments, making an important announcement on Thursday. This rebate is now available until September 30, as per the officials’ statement.
Initially, residents received property tax bills with increased rates for this financial year, 2025-2026. However, many residents and councillors opposed this hike.
Current Tax Situation
Many people in Ghaziabad, including those living in Indirapuram, are not happy with the new tax rates. Even today, a lot of residents have not paid these increased taxes.
“The residents are receiving hiked bills, and they are not willing to pay,” said Mohan Sangwan, a local resident. He added that the extension of the rebate shows the corporation is trying to encourage payments due to a lack of response.
Rebate Details
The corporation’s chief tax assessment officer, Sanjeev Sinha, mentioned that when the rebate was first offered, it was supposed to end on July 31. Now, those who pay property tax early can still benefit.
- 20% rebate available until September 30
- 10% rebate in October and November
- 5% rebate in December and January 2026
However, there is confusion about whether this rebate applies to the newly raised tax rates or the old rates from last year. Many residents are unsure and wish for more clarity.
Councillors’ Concerns
At a board meeting held on June 30, councillors voted against the proposed tax hike. This meeting was especially focused on the increased tax rates. But, the minutes of this meeting have not been made public yet.
Mayor Sunita Dayal noted that councillors have been waiting for these minutes. She explained, “I have asked them to prepare the minutes.” This lack of transparency has led many residents to feel uncertain about the situation.
Public Interest Litigation
Three former councillors are actively pushing for clarity. They have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at the Allahabad high court. This move was part of their concern about the tax hike and related issues. The last hearing related to this PIL occurred on August 5.
Next Steps
Neeraj Goel, a councillor from Turab Nagar/Gandhi Nagar, said, “We will meet with officials to demand the release of the minutes.” He expressed hope that releasing these minutes would reduce confusion among residents.
In July, councillors had even protested at the corporation headquarters. They sought the release of the meeting’s minutes to clarify the tax situation.
Conclusion
The extension of the rebate until September 30 gives homeowners some relief and time to make payments. As the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation offers 20% rebate, many residents are still anxious due to the uncertainty about the tax rates. The municipal corporation must act swiftly to resolve these issues.
