Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has taken decisive action to suspend the collection of property tax arrears in recently merged villages within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) jurisdiction. This move comes in response to widespread discontent among residents facing triple property tax charges and encountering forceful collection methods.
The directive from Deputy Chief Minister Pawar was conveyed to the PMC Commissioner during a meeting on Sunday, where various issues concerning the merged villages were discussed. The residents’ grievances regarding exorbitant property tax rates and forceful collection methods prompted Pawar to intervene, emphasizing the need for strategic decision-making in consultation with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The meeting at the government rest house brought together residents and representatives from 34 villages, providing them with an opportunity to express their concerns directly to Deputy Chief Minister Pawar. In addition to property tax issues, residents raised concerns about encroachment actions and water supply shortages.
Expressing solidarity with the affected citizens, Pawar assured them that their complaints regarding forced property tax collections and property confiscations would be addressed through a strategic decision-making process involving key government officials.
The meeting witnessed the presence of notable figures, including State Women’s Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar, MLAs Bhimrao Tapkir, Sunil Tingre, Chetan Tupe, and Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar.
Residents from Undri also highlighted the pressing issue of water scarcity during the meeting. In response, Pawar suggested that the PMC Commissioner ensure an adequate supply of water to Undri through water tankers, underscoring the importance of addressing basic necessities for all citizens.
The meeting included the presence of Undri residents Jayashri Punekar, Swati Takle, Sachin Gawade, Sachin Punekar, and many others who raised concerns about property tax and water supply issues.
