Bengaluru: Owners of Bullock carts, motor vehicles, bikes must now pay mandatory tax in Gram Panchayat limits starting July 1.The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department has ordered the revision of taxes based on amendment to Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 which was incorporated two years before the act came into force. The revision should be in accordance with the guidelines mentioned in Schedule 4 of the act.
The revised tax will be effective from July 1.
Even though the Government sent circulars in the past the village panchayats failed to levy taxes. Instead they relied on government funding to meet daily expenses. In order to reduce the burden the government has made taxes mandatory.
According to the new order, the GP’s should frame the revised tax structure keep in view the pending dues as well as the rate of tax being levied presently. The government has warned of stopping fund allotment to GP’s which fail to collect taxes.