Period for registering objections extended

The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) has extended the period for registering objections to the proposed hike in house tax up to August 10. Earlier, the objections and other issues related to the proposed house tax increase were to be submitted to the corporation by August 3. With the deadline being extended by seven days, those with issues regarding the proposed hike are expected to submit the same before the revised deadline after which their submissions will not be considered, said the officials.

It should be mentioned here that the MCD has proposed to hike the house tax by about 40 per cent in the 60 municipal wards. After the proposed hike was announced, a number of objections and suggestions were received from residents of various municipal wards. A number of residents’ welfare associations also objected to the proposed increase. As per the officials, people also submitted suggestions like cancellation of the house tax, lowering the house tax or stopping the house tax collection for a period of 10 years.

Talking about it, the municipal commissioner Vijay Kumar Jogdande said, “The house tax was raised as per the rules as is done once every four years. The rate is decided as per the services we provide in the different areas and according to the width of the road and house area. People submitted different types of objections but we can only consider valid issues. The last date for registering the complaints has been extended from August 3 to August 10. After this, no complaint from any person will be considered by the MCD.”

41 condemned buildings in the city

The condemned buildings at risk of collapse in the city have remained a major risk factor especially during the monsoon season. There are many buildings in the city which are in dilapidated and structurally weak being 80 to 90 years old. As per information provided by official sources, there are about 41 such condemned buildings that are at risk of collapsing especially during the heavy rain. Lack of repairs and proper maintenance have worsened the condition of such old buildings. Recently, the first floor of one such building near Tehsil Chowk collapsed following heavy rain in Dehradun. Though no one was injured in this mishap, observers point out that the outcome could be much worse in case a building occupied for residential or commercial purpose meets with a similar fate.