Separate tax slab for industries: stakeholders’ concern over notification

Recently, a major industrial unit which is spread over a large swathe of land, forked out crores of rupees to the local gram panchayat on the outskirts of the city.

Stakeholders in the industrial sector are adopting a “wait and watch’’ policy on the separate property tax slab for industries in urban local bodies limits proposed by the government.

Though a long-pending demand, there is a perception that the fineprint would be more revealing and hence are not unduly euphoric about the decision.

Besides, there is unanimity among the stakeholders that the ULBs are supposed to provide necessary services in lieu of the tax paid. But most gram panchayats and some of the town municipal councils are not in position to provide services such as road maintenance, street lights, and garbage removal.