Jammu observes bandh against property tax on traders' body call

A daylong strike called by a traders body against the imposition of property tax evoked a mixed response in Jammu on Saturday with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha saying people are wise and understand the situation very wellSinha however said his doors are open for dialogue on the issue and the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been given priority while framing the rulesThe Union Territory administration recently notified the imposition of property tax in municipal areas from April 1 The tax rates will be 5 per cent of the annual taxable value for residential properties and 6 per cent for commercial propertiesWhile some markets in the city remained closed on Saturday overall there was a mixed response to the bandh call given by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries JCCI and the Yuva Rajput SabhaSeveral shopkeepers who had kept their establishments closed in the morning opened them later in the dayWork in the high court and other subordinate courts was also affected as lawyers associated with the Jammu chapter of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association participated in the JCCIsponsored strikeAlmost all opposition parties including the National Conference the Congress the Democratic Azad Party and the National Panthers Party also supported the bandhThe All JampK Transport Welfare Association however was not a part of the strike claiming that they were not taken into confidence by the traders bodyPublic transport remain unaffected and was seen plying on the roads since early morningAlso readNo shooting stones no jams on Jammu and Kashmir highway as road gets new tunnel next weekThe Yuva Rajput Sabha also took out a peaceful march from Bohri to Talab Tiloo on the outskirts of the city and the marchers later dispersed after being stopped by policeThe people of JampK are wise and intelligent They understand the situation very well Lt Governor told reporters here on the sidelines of a function in response to a question about the strike by traders against the imposition of property taxAsked about the allparties meeting likely to be chaired by NC president Farooq Abdullah at his residence later in the day with property tax being one of the issues on the agenda Sinha said he does not speak on political issuesI believe we have not left any scope for them on such issues The interests of the people of JampK have been given top priority while framing the property tax policy The tax amount fixed is onetenth of the tax being paid by the people in Shimla Ambala and Dehradun he saidHe said there will be no tax on property in rural areas and 40 per cent population in urban areas where 40 per cent of people have to pay around Rs 1000 annuallySimilarly Sinha said there are 101 lakh shops out of which 46 per cent of shops fall below 100 square feet and have to pay around Rs 700 annually and 36000 shopkeepers only Rs 2000 annually on account of property taxWe have issued tollfree numbers and sought suggestions from the public if they feel there is a scope for improvement If there is a need for any relief we will definitely give it to the public he said adding his doors are open for dialogue on the issueOn the protests by job aspirants over hiring of a previously blacklisted company for conducting computerbased written tests he said iquestthe issue is before the court and the Constitution does not permit me to speak on itThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever