Ahsan censures BB cantt for serving tax warrants to cantonment residents.

Srinagar, Dec 04: National Conference (NC) provincial Vice President Kashmir and In-Charge Constituency Sonwar Ahsan Pardesi Saturday took strong exception to serving of warrant regarding paying property taxes by Badami Bagh Cantonment Board (BBCB) to the residents of Batwara, Shivpora, Indra Nagar and partly Sonwar in Srinagar.

Censuring the BBCB authorities for serving warrant order which amounts to attachment of properties to the residential and commercial units within its jurisdiction, Pardesi in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said he strongly condemns unwarranted order issued to the residents of localities including Shivpora, Batwara Indra Nagar and partly Sonwar who have received warrant orders from the Board which has caused unrest and mental agony among the inhabitants of these areas.

Expressing his displeasure at the decision, he said such a move would only add to the miseries of locals, who have snapped their strength to make such out-of-pocket expenditures due to the undergoing economic downturn induced by the deluge of 2014 and Covid-19. The locals households and traders it is germane to mention had suffered due to the ravaging impact the deluge of 2014 incurred on them.

He said, “I am witness to the fact how people of these areas sold their assets and used all their savings to rebuild their houses after the massive 2014 deluge. These areas where worst hits. On behalf of residents of Batwara, Shivpora, Indra Nagar and partly Sonwar, I appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to look into the matter and do the needful to give respite to the locals residing there.”

“LG had last year said that the JK administration would not impose any property tax on the people. It was clearly mentioned by LG Sahab that no such tax would be levied in by the incumbent JK administration. Why are the localities with the jurisdiction of BBCB being singled out. When no one in entire J&K are not paying taxes why should the particular locality be victimized.”

Pardesi said Dr Farooq Abdullah sahib has already written letter of Defense minister for same with a hope that the issue is resolved. He said when during these testing times financial institutions are extending every possible help to re structure loans of consumers due to extended economic lock down how can anyone think of putting huge burdens in these testing times to people.

Pardesi said he is extremely hopeful that LG and board authorities will rise upto the occasion and resolve the issue—(KNO)