AMU VC writes letter to UP CM demanding continuation of property tax exemption

AGRA: With the Aligarh Municipal Corporation raising a demand of Rs 13.77 crores from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on account of outstanding dues towards property tax payments, vice chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor, has written a letter to UP chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, urging him to continue the tax exemption that the varsity was getting earlier. He has also pointed out that no such tax is being charged from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Incidentally, the MC has threatened the varsity with seizure of its bank accounts, if they fail to pay the outstanding property tax and the interest accrued on it since 2005 immediately. The VC said that the university had written a letter to the university grant commission (UGC) and the ministry of human resource and development (MHRD) demanding a budget allocation for the payment of the outstanding tax dues, but they had received no response from them.
Talking to TOI, Registrar of the university, Abdul Hamid, said that the varsity classes, lab and library were exempted from the tax but the municipal corporation now claims that the earlier order was applicable only during the tenure of the Nagar Palika.
“This is a central university and funds are allocated by the Centre for every purpose and we can not pay this huge amount until the ministry approves the same,” he said, adding that they will be in trouble, if MC seizes their bank account, as all projects and salaries will be stopped.
When contacted, chief tax officer, Vinay Rai, told TOI that the university officials are giving wrong logics. He said, the letter they are showing was of 1990 during the period of Nagar Palika and the corporation had already clarified them that this was the new assessment by the corporation since 2005 under UP Municipal Corporation Act, 1959.
He said, “UP government has already given a nod for the recovery amount of Rs 13.77 crore including 7.33 crore interest from the AMU”. Rai added that a warrant in this regard will be issued soon and movable and immovable property of the varsity will be attached if required.