AWANTIPORA: An awareness programme on Property Tax was organised at the Municipal Committee Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora Zaffar Husson Shawl, Tehsildar Awantipora Shakeel Ahmad, Executive Officer Municipal Committee Awantipora Adnan Ahmad and other officials were present on the occasion. The programme was attended by Traders, business communities, shopkeepers and Civil society members of Awantipora town. Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora Zaffar Husson Shawl, Tehsildar Awantipora, and Executive Officer spoke on the occasion.

The speakers informed the participants that Property Tax will be used within municipality limits for various developmental works like the construction of roads, drainage, water schemes and hospitals.

The ADC Awantipora told Kashmir Reader that they invited respected citizens from the town and other civil society members including bazaar committee members. “A negative propaganda is being run regarding property tax and we want to reach out to people with correct information about the tax to check the negative propaganda,” he said, adding that there are clauses in the Act as per which economically weaker sections have been exempted from paying property tax.

He said that people owning houses in an area of less than 1000 square feet have to pay no property tax for the house. “Besides there are clear instructions that no property tax be imposed on Masjids, Gurudwaras or other religious institutions,” he said, adding that the tax collected under the provisions of the act will be used by the concerned municipalities for developmental works of the municipal area.

He said that they informed people about how much tax will be levied on a house of particular dimensions. “The taxpayer will be given a rebate if he pays the tax in one or two installments in a year,” he said, adding that the misconceptions of people regarding property tax were cleared.

BILAL HABIB