Mamata opposed to imposition of civic tax

kolkata: trinamul supremo mamata banerjee is vehemently opposed to the imposition of water tax and conservency tax by municipal corporations in the state. speaking to reporters in kolkata on saturday, the trinamul supremo said that taxes were being imposed on civic amenities in order to meet stipulation for adb loans. "while we are not against development, tax on water and conservancy will cause immense hardship for poor people.our party is vehemently opposed to any such move," banerjee said. banerjee also said that minister for urban development ashok bhattacharjee was pressurising municipal corporations, including the trinamul-held calcutta municipal corporation, to impose the tax without delay. incidentally, the trinamul supremo's announcement is also contrary to the stand taken by her party mla and mayor subrata mukherjee who is believed to be in favour of imposing the taxes. mamata banerjee's remarks also indicate that the mayor will henceforth have to toe the party line instead of the line taken by the state government. banerjee, however, clarified that there was no confusion in trinamul on this issue. "calcutta municipal corporation is merely an implementing agency. as such it has no control over policy decisions," banerjee said. trinamul congress also demanded the appointment of a full-time home minister to tackle the law and order situation that is becoming a cause for concern. "since the chief minister himself has admitted failure in guwahati, it is time he appoints a whole time home minister," mamata banerjee said. taking the cue from her party leader, pankaj banerjee said that the present law and order situation in the state demanded round the clock monitoring and attention which the cm, with his various occupations, is finding difficult to maintain.