Residents of the newly merged villages within the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) jurisdiction staged a rally on Tuesday, protesting against the exorbitant property taxes imposed on them. The rally, attended by residents from Uttamnagar, Kondhwe, and Kopre villages, culminated at the Shivane ward office as participants voiced their grievances.
Expressing discontent, a resident, speaking anonymously, highlighted the disparity between current tax rates and those previously levied by the gram panchayat. Protestors emphasized the urgent need for essential amenities, particularly addressing issues such as inadequate road infrastructure and water supply.
The prevailing water crisis has left residents reliant on tanker water supply, with ongoing delays in completing water pipeline connections exacerbating the situation.
PMC officials defended the tax imposition, citing the imperative to raise Rs 1246 crore from the 34 merged areas for development initiatives. However, residents advocate for tax concessions, citing the substandard provision of services.
According to PMC data, there are approximately 4.25 lakh properties in the merged areas, with 3.75 lakh falling under the tax ambit. Of this, Rs 985 crore is earmarked for recovery from 11 merged areas, while Rs 261 crore is owed by 23 villages.
Vikram Kumar, PMC Commissioner, assured residents of forthcoming development initiatives, with the PMC allocating Rs 500 crore in the 2024–25 municipal budget for this purpose. Despite concerns over financial strain, PMC officials underscored the necessity of tax recovery to sustain development efforts.
In parallel developments, the demerger of Uruli and Phursungi villages from PMC is underway following citizen petitions and state government intervention. However, the demerger process remains pending, awaiting the establishment of a municipal council.
The rally amplifies residents’ demands for fair taxation and improved civic amenities, shedding light on the intricate challenges of local governance and infrastructure development in merged areas.
