Nagar Panchayats to impose taxes

Agartala, Sep 19 (UNI) The State Urban Development Department has asked the Nagar Panchayat authorities to impose various taxes to ensure flow of funds from the Centre for developmental activities.

Urban Development Minister Manik Dey yesterday said the move was aimed to appease the Centre in order to recieve funds for various civic development schemes.

The state government has directed all the 12 Nagar Panchayats to collect taxes from residents for better infrastructure in their areas.

'' Congress led UPA government has been forcing the state government to implement the concept,'' alleged Mr Dey.

He further said the Centre is literally threatening the state government to block fund allocations if the taxes were not imposed soon.

'' We have no other option than sign the MoU complying the conditions of the Union Urban Development Ministry,'' said Mr Dey.

However, the minister assured that the civic authorities have been asked to impose tax considering the socio-economic condition of the citizens, the minister said.

Meanwhile, State opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath has decried the move of the government.

Mr Nath told newsmen that the people the Nagar Panchayats were not provided with basic civic amenities.

'' The state government is adopting double standards by mentioning that the Centre is forcing it to sign the Mou,''Mr Nath alleged.

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