GMC taxes

— Any move of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to effect a hike in taxes invariably draws stiff public resistance. A few months back it was the abrupt and manifold increase in property tax, and now the business community is crying hoarse over a three-fold increase in trade licence tax. The traders also downed their shutters as a mark of protest on Saturday. One reason why any hike in taxes results in a confrontation with the payer is the sudden and multiple nature of the increase. The GMC rarely takes the public into confidence while taking such important decisions, with no discussion with any public body preceding the hikes. The biggest complaint against the GMC, and with good reasons, has been its inability to deliver even the basic services and amenities to the tax-paying citizens. A legitimate grievance of the traders has been that the corporation failed miserably when it comes to providing the basic facilities in the markets. Another curious habit with our authorities – something that naturally does not go well with the tax-paying public — is their penchant for making abrupt and steep hikes in taxes rather than effecting those gradually and periodically so that the people are spared the sudden pinch.

Given the widespread protest against the hike in trade licence tax, the GMC would do well to sit for a discussion with trade bodies prior to implementing the hike. If at all there is merit in the corporation’s stand, it has to convince the payer. Over the years the GMC’s track record has been hardly the type that inspires people’s confidence. As per the GMC Act-1971, the corporation is under an obligation to ensure 25 amenities to the public but how far it has succeeded is for everyone to see. Another serious allegation against the GMC concerns its non-transparent functioning, with the corporation not making public its audited annual balance sheet of account. Since the GMC utilises the tax payers’ money, along with providing the necessary services it also has to ensure transparency in utilising the money. It is apparent that the GMC lacks work culture and any long-term vision whereas both are critical to providing the necessary services to the public. With the city experiencing a rapid expansion and population growth, the challenge before the GMC only stands to intensify in the days to come. The GMC should also study the functioning of municipal bodies of model cities and replicate their success stories. ASSAM TRIBUNE