SHILLONG: The emergency executive Dorbar of the Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong Pyllun held on Saturday unanimously decided to protest the proposed move of the Government through the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to increase property tax and user charges under the proposed unit area based self-assessment method of property tax and user charges.
In a statement issued to the media, the Drobar said that the SMB should firstly address the long pending grievances of the public with respect to current extortionate rates of taxes and charges and the woeful service delivery record of the SMB.
The public notice issued by the office of the CEO to conduct public consultation meetings on November 24 and 25 at Soso Tham Auditorium with all taxpayers is just an attempt on the part of the authorities to neglect the core issues at hand and to increase the burden on householders in particular and the public in general.
The Dorbar also highlighted the grave deficiencies in public service delivery of the SMB with particular reference to water supply, street lighting, garbage disposal and the management, repair and maintenance of public assets and public areas like markets and parking areas under SMB. “The Dorbar is of the firm opinion that the general public should not suffer due to inefficiency and corruption in the SMB”, the statement added.
The Dorbar also urged all residents of Laitumkhrah to register their protest during the public hearing on November 24 at 10:30 a.m. at SosoTham Auditorium, Shillong.
