representative image Chennai: Alliance of Residents Welfare Association (AORWA), a union of 425 RWAs, has urged the state government to cancel the recent 6%. property tax hike passed gccHe demanded that taxes should not be collected from residents who do not have basic water and sewer connections.
At its second annual general body meeting over the weekend, AoRWA passed ten resolutions, stressing the need for better civic infrastructure before tax hikes are implemented. “The government should provide civic infrastructure and amenities on priority and stop the tax hike proposal,” AORWA general secretary JMS Nagarjunan said.
Several resident associations had earlier challenged the 2022 tax amendments in the High Court, arguing that the hike from 50% to 150% was unfair due to inadequate facilities. The new tax increases were implemented before their petitions could be resolved. Members expressed concern over bad roads, inefficient storm water drains and lack of water and sewer connections.
AORWA also called for electricity charges to be billed monthly instead of bi-monthly, citing financial pressure on many residents following the pandemic.
During the meeting chaired by AORWA President D. Neelakannan, a resolution was passed urging the CMDA to protect water bodies, catchment areas, forests and educational areas from reclassification for other land use. Additionally, he pressed for the restoration of 139 water bodies in the city.
Concerned about the impact on the Ramsar-tagged Pallikaranai marshland, AORWA also passed a resolution against the proposed eco-park at the reclaimed Perungudi dump yard. Finally, they voted to set aside areas for dogs and cattle away from densely populated places and ensure their regular feeding.
