CH NEWS
JDS Bengaluru City District President and former MLA H.M. Ramesh Gowda has accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of imposing an oppressive “tax raj” on the residents of Bengaluru. Addressing a press conference at JP Bhavan, the party’s state office, he alleged that the government is levying exorbitant taxes in the name of urban development under the Greater Bangalore initiative.
Gowda claimed that taxes have increased by nearly 1,000 percent, calling it a blatant case of public exploitation. “Previously, BBMP levied a tax of ₹13,800 per square meter. Now, the Congress government has inflated it to between ₹3 lakh and ₹6 lakh. This is nothing short of daylight robbery,” he declared, presenting supporting documents to the media. He further alleged that the conversion of ‘B’ khata properties to ‘A’ khata is a fraudulent move aimed at misleading citizens. “This change is bogus. If we go to court, we will expose and reprimand this injustice,” he said. He warned that the JDS will launch a series of protests, including legal action, to oppose the alleged exploitation.
Gowda also recalled that in 2007, newly included BBMP revenue plots were taxed at ₹250 per square meter. “Now, the government is planning to raise this to ₹250–₹500 per square foot, drastically affecting old 100-ward residents,” he stated. Party leader K.A. Thippeswamy and other senior leaders were present during the media interaction, echoing concerns about what they termed an anti-people policy by the state government.