KMC will not waive tax for any agency, says Mayor

Kolkata: Mayor Sovan Chatterjee reiterated on Wednesday that the KMC has not waived tax and will not do so for any agency so that the revenue collection of the civic body is not jeopardized by any means.

Responding to an allegation from Congress councillor Prakash Upadhyay, who alleged that the KMC is hesitant in mopping up the exorbitant dues of Kolkata Port Trust, Chatterjee at the monthly meeting said: "We will not allow any agency to keep tax dues and will collect it in full amount. The KoPT has already paid us an ad hoc amount of Rs 50 crore.

Presently, we are trying to obtain the tax due records prior to 2012-13. Some documents in this regard are not tallying with the records of KoPT. We have asked the KoPT to share their records for this time period and will facilitate

further course of action accordingly."

The Mayor further added that a tripartile meeting in this regard has been held recently with Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim, KMC and KoPT

regarding dues.

Congress councillor Prakash Upadhyay had demanded an answer from the Mayor regarding what measures have been taken by the civic body to collect tax dues of Rs 422 crore

from the KoPT.

Speaking on the matter, Vinit Kumar, KoPT chairman said: "In a recent meeting with the KMC and state Urban Development and

Municipal Affairs minister, it has been decided that that some settlement will be made concerning the old tax dues. After 2012-13, there were dues of around Rs 150 crore out of which KoPT has already paid Rs 50 crore, three to four months back to the civic body. For the rest of the amount, talks are on."