BJP takes up tax hike in Cantt area with MoS

SHILLONG, Feb 9: A BJP delegation led by MLA Sanbor Shullai raised the sudden increase in land rent tax in Shillong Cantonment area with Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, apprising the latter that it has adversely affected the lessees.
Shullai, along with State BJP chief Rikman G Momin and other senior party leaders met the Union MoS on January 29. Shullai has requested that the Shillong Cantonment Board, which falls under the Directorate General of Defence Estate, establish an inquiry to look into the manner in which the rent had been increased in the year 2009, which, he claimed, is in violation of the provision laid down in the Cantonment Land Administrative Rules of 1937.
“The rates which had seen uniform increase since 1991, suddenly witnessed an abnormal hike in the year 2009 which had a negative effect on the residents,” Shullai said in a statement.
The BJP delegation, which also met the Director General of Directorate General Defence Estates, GS Rajeswaran, has expressed hopes that the matter will be resolved at the earliest.
Shullai added that he is likely to invite the Union MoS for Defence in April, stating that the minister has shown keen interest in visiting Shillong.