Srinagar, Oct 06: In a significant development, the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has decided to postpone the implementation of Property Tax in view of the upcoming elections for Urban Local Bodies, which include municipal corporations, municipal councils, and municipal committees.
An order issued by Urban and Local Bodies reads that “In accordance with the authority granted by Section 71-A of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, and Section 143-A of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, the Government has directed that a specific provision in the Jammu and Kashmir Property Tax (Municipal Corporation and Other Municipalities) Rules, 2023, be modified.
“Instead of the previous date of “30th September, 2023,” the phrase such date as the Government may notify will now be applicable. This change is detailed in notifications SOs 505 and 506, respectively.”
A senior official at Urban and Local Bodies Department wishing anonymity told Rising Kashmir that the government has effectively suspended the implementation of Property Tax until further notice. This decision has been made with an eye on the upcoming Urban Local Bodies elections, he said.
“We had orders from higher authorities to delay the imposition of property taxes in view of ULB elections scheduled by the end of this year,” he said.
It is evident that the term of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is set to conclude on November 5, while that of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) will end on November 14.
Similarly, the terms of all other Municipal bodies, including Councils and Committees in the Union Territory, are scheduled to end between October and November.
“The commencement of the term for Urban Local Bodies is calculated from their inaugural meetings,” he added.
On February 21, 2023, J&K’s Housing and Urban Development Department issued two separate notifications for levying, assessment and collection of property tax in the urban areas of Jammu and Kashmir, where 27% of the UT’s population resides as per the 2011 census figures.
The Jammu & Kashmir Property Tax (Municipal Corporation) Rules, 2023 and the Jammu & Kashmir (Other Municipalities) Rules, 2023, notified by the government, define the procedure for collection of property tax within the limits of municipal corporations, committees and councils in the UT.
As per these rules, property tax is to be 5% of the taxable annual value (TAV) on residential properties and 6% of the taxable annual value on commercial properties..
