Nakodar: Rs 1.20-Cr property tax collected

Nakodar: The Nakodar municipal council (MC) has collected over Rs 1.20 crore as property tax till February 16. Executive officer RS Warraich said: “ The MC has identified about 7,000 properties, out of which, the civic body has received property tax to the tune of Rs 1.20 crore against its target of Rs 1.5 crore. He said the property tax rate had changed with the MC getting A-grade status and the government has announced a rebate of 10 per cent on the payment of property tax for 2019-2020, adding that to intensify tax collection, the MC has begun the process of sealing properties of defaulters and three properties were sealed last week. TNS

Two booked for assault

Nakodar: The Shahkot police have booked a father-son duo on the charge of assaulting a man on Monday. Investigating Officer (IO) Sukhwindar Singh said: “The accused have been identified as Gurdev Singh of Mullewal Araian village and his son Jagdip Singh, alias Jaggy. Sukhdev Singh alias Dhola, a resident of the same village, complained to the police that the suspects barged into his house on February 8 and attacked him with sharp-edged weapons and seriously injured him. The IO said a case under Sections 323, 324 and 34 of the IPC had been registered against the suspects. OC

Deadlock over Revenue stamps

Nakodar: The state government has failed to break the deadlock between its revenue department and postal authorities over the sale of revenue stamps of the denomination of Re 1 through post offices. Post offices across the state have stopped selling of revenue stamps since February 2005, demanding their commission to be hikedt. However, the revenue department refused to accept the demand and wrote to the Centre to intervene, but to no avail. Meanwhile, the state government has been selling the revenue stamps through its treasury offices at the subdivisional level. It has also authorised stamp vendors to sell revenue stamps. But residents of far-flung and remote villages complained that they were forced to spend more money and time to buy stamps. The stamp vendors, too, are reluctant to sell these stamps as they receive a small commission. Taking advantage of the continuing stalemate, some people are selling these stamps in the black market. OC

Encroachments: council fails to act

Nurmahal: Encroachments on space meant for pedestrians by vendors and shopkeepers has become a routine here as the the Nagar Council has failed to act against violators. Berms of the road stretch from the old bus stand chowk to Talwan chowk and Nakodar road have gradually been encroached upon. Sweatshop owners and vegetable and fruit sellers have encroached upon the area in front of the office of the Nagar Council. OC