Pune civic body proposes 12% hike in property tax

A 12% hike in property tax proposed by municipal commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad in the draft civic budget for 2020-2021 is expected to bring an additional income of Rs 150 crore. Gaikwad tabled a Rs 6,229-crore budget for the next fiscal before the standing committee on Monday, an increase of Rs 144 crore from last year's Rs 6,085 crore. The proposed increase includes a 5.5% hike in general tax, 1.5% in water benefit tax and 5% in sewage treatment charges. The budget has to be approved by the standing committee and the general body before its implementation. Citizens will also have to pay an additional 15% in water tax which has already been approved as a part of 24X7 water supply project.