No new taxes in merged areas for three years: CM

Our Correspondent

Palampur, February 8

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today assured residents of newly upgraded Municipal Corporation of Palampur that no new taxes would be imposed in the merged areas. He said that the state government had already declared a tax holiday of tree years and a notification to this effect had already been issued. If needed, it could be extended further.

He categorically stated that MANREGA-like schemes would also be continued in MC areas.

Addressing a public meeting here last evening, the Chief Minister said Congress leaders were misleading the people on the issues of new taxes and MANREGA which was far from truth. He said Congress leaders never wanted the upgrade of Palampur Municipal Corporation because of their vested interests. Therefore, they were creating misunderstanding among people.

Planned and systematic development

The BJP government is committed to the planned and systematic development of the urban areas of the state and formation of MCs is a step forward. —Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister

The Chief Minister said that the BJP government in the state was committed to the planned and systematic development of the urban areas of the state and formation of MCs was a step forward. He thanked the people for their wholehearted support to the BJP in the PRI and Urban Local Bodies elections and hoped that similar would be situation in the elections of four MCs of state.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stones and inaugurated development projects worth Rs. 45.66 crore in Palampur area of Kangra district.

He inaugurated projects worth Rs 5.94 crore which includes flow irrigation schemes at Maniara Tappa, Jugehar and Rani Di Kuhl and Rs 1.37 crore civil supply godown at Sidhpur Sarkari. He laid the foundation stones of projects of Rs 39.72 crore, including improvement of Kasba Jugehar water supply scheme in Kothi Pahra gram panchayat of Palampur tehsil.

Thakur announced that a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar would be installed at the premises of Mini Secretariat, Palampur. He announced Rs 50 lakh for Golden Jubilee Nature Park being constructed at Palampur at a cost of Rs 1.65 crore.

Industries Minister Bikram Singh and chairman, Wool Federation, Trilok Kapoor were among those present on the occasion.