2 weeks ago
Thane Raises Property Taxes, Withdraws Proposed TMT Bus Fare Hike
Thane’s city government decided to raise property taxes.
Homes will face a 12% increase, while commercial properties will face a 20% increase.
The government says it needs more money for infrastructure and public services.
It expects the tax changes to bring in ₹104.67 crore each year.
Property owners will also pay a transfer fee equal to 0.5% of the government-approved property value.
This means a property worth ₹1 crore would have a ₹50,000 transfer fee.
The city government cancelled a planned increase in Thane bus fares.
Some opposition leaders said residents should not pay more while basic services remain inadequate.
Thane Municipal Corporation approved a 12% residential property-tax increase and a 20% non-residential increase.
The revised property taxes are expected to generate ₹104.67 crore in additional annual revenue.
Property transfer fees will now equal 0.5% of a property’s government-approved market value.
The corporation withdrew its proposed ₹3 TMT bus-fare increase, leaving fares unchanged.
Opposition leaders criticized the tax hikes, citing inadequate roads, drainage, and other civic services.
- Who
- The Thane Municipal Corporation, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, and opposition leaders including Nationalist Congress Party (SP) District President Manoj Pradhan.
- What
- The corporation approved property-tax and property-transfer-fee increases but withdrew a proposed Thane Municipal Transport bus-fare hike.
- Where
- Thane, Maharashtra, within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
- When
- The decisions were approved on Monday during the corporation’s general body meeting; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- The corporation said increased revenue was needed to support urban infrastructure and civic amenities after property taxes had not been revised since 2018–19; the bus-fare proposal was withdrawn to align with a state policy seeking uniform transport fares across the region.
Civic Administration
Opposition Critics
Need for higher property taxes
Civic Administration
Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao said rapid urbanization and demand for improved civic services require additional municipal funds, and taxes had not been revised for years.
Opposition Critics
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) District President Manoj Pradhan said residents were being unjustifiably burdened despite the corporation’s failure to provide standard infrastructure such as roads and drainage.
Use of tax revenue
Civic Administration
The corporation expects the increase to generate ₹104.67 crore annually for expanding urban infrastructure and civic amenities.
Opposition Critics
Opposition criticism focused on the gap between the taxes collected and the quality of basic civic services provided to residents.
Key facts
- Residential property tax
- Increased by 12%.
- Non-residential property tax
- Increased by 20%.
- Expected additional revenue
- ₹104.67 crore annually.
- Property transfer fee
- Set at 0.5% of the government-approved market value.
- Example transfer fee
- A ₹1 crore property would attract a ₹50,000 fee.
- TMT bus fares
- The proposed ₹3 increase was withdrawn, so fares remain unchanged.
- Previous tax revision
- Property taxes had not been revised since 2018–19.
Quotes
Manoj Pradhan
Nationalist Congress Party District President
“The corporation is bound to provide basic civic services to residents in return for taxes. But in Thane, despite failing to provide even standard infrastructure like roads and drainage, the TMC is now unjustifiably burdening citizens with a steep tax hike.”
freepressjournal.in
“Rapid urbanization and the growing demand for improved civic services require enhanced municipal funds. Property taxes have not been revised in years, making this adjustment necessary to maintain infrastructure standards.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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