Hubbali-Dharwad bandh if HDMC fails to roll back property tax hike

Hubballi

The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President SP Sanshimath has urged the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) to roll back the recent property tax hike.

He stated that until a decision is made on the matter, citizens of the twin cities should refrain from paying taxes. If the HDMC fails to respond to their demand, a Hubli-Dharwad bandh will be called, he warned.

Sanshimath made this announcement following a public meeting, which was attended by traders, industrialists, and residents of the twin cities.

During the meeting, members of the chamber expressed strong dissatisfaction, highlighting that there is no proper underground drainage system, the roads are in poor condition, and waste management is inadequate. Despite these issues, taxes are being levied on everything except the air people breathe, they criticized.

Anand Shanbhag from the Citizens’ Forum said that while collecting tax for waste generated in households is acceptable, levying underground drainage usage charges and solid waste management fees even on vacant land is unjustifiable. He emphasized that before increasing taxes, it is legally mandatory to inform taxpayers and the public, which the corporation failed to do. The citizens have been kept in the dark, and everyone should boycott tax payments and take to the streets in protest, he declared.

Other speakers at the meeting included Shantaraj Pol, Raghu, Mukesh,President of the Textile Traders’ Association, former APMC Traders’ Association President Suresh Kiresur, North Karnataka Small Industries Association Vice President Ashok Kunnur, Ashok Bhandari, and Hotel Owners’ Association President Prakash Rao, among others.