(Left to right) AAP’s MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak, former CM Atishi, Mayor Mahesh Khichi
| Photo Credit: file photo

Mayor Mahesh Khichi on Monday said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will soon roll out a house tax waiver scheme, under which owners can get a complete waiver of their previous dues upon paying the tax for the current financial year within the stipulated time.

The Mayor made the announcement at a press briefing with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh and its MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak. Mr. Khichi said he will table the tax waiver proposal in the MCD House for approval on Tuesday.

He added that, as per the proposal, starting from the next financial year, residents owning houses and shops in residential areas with a floor area of less than 83 sqm (100 sq yards) will receive a complete waiver in house tax, and those owning properties between 83 sqm and 418 sqm (500 sq yards) will receive a 50% relief.

Mr. Singh said that for the first time, 1,300 housing apartments in the Capital, which had never received any house tax benefit, will get a 25% rebate this year.

Mr. Pathak said the municipality will soon regularise the services of nearly 12,000 ad hoc workers. “Over the past two years, we have regularised the services of 8,000 employees, of which 4,500 work for the Sanitation Department alone,” said Mr. Pathak.

Hitting out at AAP, Leader of the Opposition in the MCD Raja Iqbal Singh said, “Today’s announcements are an eyewash because such decisions require prior approval from the Delhi Finance Commission, the Municipal Valuation Committee, and the corporation’s Standing Committee — none of which have been constituted so far.”