PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL IN 8 CITIES.

Property tax exemption for defence personnel in 8 cities.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL IN 8 CITIES.

The state Urban Development Department (UDD) has directed the civic bodies of Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Gadhinagar to give tax exemption to properties owned by defence personnel. The UDD has given the direction through a letter dated July 2007.

This comes following several representations by the Army Welfare Association to the state government, seeking exemption to recognise their contribution to the nation. 

The benefit will be extended to only one residential property located within the municipal limits and not to any commercial property owned by them, officials said. The claimant should also furnish an affidavit saying that he has not been enjoying similar tax benefit in other part of the city. 

As per the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, except for properties owned by charity organisations, all properties within civic limits are taxable. The government has asked the civic bodies to amend the Act to provide tax relief to the retired and serving personnel.

Source: Indian Express.