Traders of newly formed wards protest steep taxes

Dehradun: More than 50

traders

from the newly-formed wards of Harrawala, Kuanwala and Miyawala staged a protest against being charged steep commercial taxes by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) on Monday. The civic body had sent them forms to deposit commercial tax at high rates, the traders alleged.

Sanjay Singh Chauhan, president, Harrawala Shop Owners’ Committee said “Our ward was one the 32 to be brought under the municipal corporation. The chief minister had declared that no taxes will be collected from the new wards for a period of 10 years but still, we are being asked to pay high tax. Later, a government order made an amendment, making us liable to pay taxes. We were not even aware of the development.”

The protesters met mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama and requested him to resolve their issue. They said that the new wards were still under the process of urbanization and the additional burden of tax could do a major damage to their economy. “The businessmen from Harrawala, Kuanwala and Miyanwala have met me, but the orders for collecting commercial taxes come from the government. The municipal corporation cannot to take any decision (in this matter),” the mayor said.