Delhi Mayor Declares No Property Tax for Rural Homes

The mayor clarified that while property tax will be exempted for rural residential areas, it will continue to be collected as usual from all designated commercial areas within the civic body.

NEW DELHI: In a significant move, Mayor Shelly Oberoi declared that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will no longer collect property tax from rural residential areas in the capital. The decision comes as a response to the longstanding grievances of residents who faced challenges during the 15 years of BJP’s administration in MCD.

Addressing the media at a press conference on Saturday, Mayor Shelly Oberoi stated, “MCD will not collect property tax from any rural residential areas in Delhi from now on. During the 15 years of BJP’s administration in MCD, people were greatly troubled by notices for property tax being sent.” The decision, according to Oberoi, was made following discussions with the heads of Delhi’s rural areas and a high-level meeting with property tax department officials.

The mayor clarified that while property tax will be exempted for rural residential areas, it will continue to be collected as usual from all designated commercial areas within the civic body. The move aims to provide relief to the residents of Delhi’s rural regions.

However, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva claimed that continuous protests and pressure from BJP workers forced MCD to withdraw lakhs of notices issued to villagers. Sachdeva alleged that the withdrawal was prompted by the fear of public backlash in the upcoming 2024 elections. The BJP president further asserted that AAP’s attempt to levy property tax on rural areas was thwarted by the strong opposition of BJP councillors.

During the press conference, Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal affirmed that property tax would not be collected from all 70 constituencies in Delhi containing rural areas, including both Lal Dora and extended Lal Dora regions. Chaudhary Surendra Solanki, the head of 360 MCD villages, expressed satisfaction that the concerns of villagers were heard and highlighted that individuals engaged in small-scale employment in villages would be exempted from property tax.

The decision is seen as a significant relief for residents of Delhi’s rural areas, and discussions around property tax policies are expected to continue as both AAP and BJP engage in the ongoing political discourse.

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