LoP: Chennai Corpn demand for property tax ‘inhuman’ move

Chennai

Condemning the announcement of the Corporation that property tax dues for the year ought to be paid immediately, he said the people, who left Chennai since March, have not returned thus far. Chennaiites, who have lost their job, business and livelihood, are living in the fear of starting everything afresh.

“It is inhuman to caution people to pay their property tax dues under such circumstances. Hence, Chennai Corporation should withdraw its tax collection notification and defer property tax collection for at least six months,” Stalin said.

Legal action against water scheme violation

Later in another statement, Stalin condemned the state government for attempting to float tenders for Rs 2,264 crore “Jal Shakthi” scheme through district collectors instead of panchayat councils.

The Opposition leader threatened to move the court if the government does not allocate funds district-wise through panchayats elected by the people.

Recalling the allocation of Rs 2,264.74 crore by the Centre under “Jal Shakthi mission” to TN on June 10 to ensure piped water supply in 35 districts, Stalin said the managing director of TWAD Maheswaran IAS, the nodal officer, on July 6, had demanded district-wise action plan before July 15 and completion of issuance of tenders before July 31.

Claiming that the nodal officer had insisted on completing some of the project works before March 31, 2021, Stalin sought to know if the AIADMK regime does not find it shameful to float district-wide tenders despite the availability of panchayat councils and make a mockery of panchayat chairmen.

Expressing shock at the department secretary, nodal officer and district collectors wholeheartedly offering their cooperation to an attempt to belittle elected civic bodies, he said the government should allocate Rs 2,264 crore to panchayat councils to ensure piped water supply to 19.74 lakh households.

Failing which, the DMK would move the court, Stalin cautioned.