The Confederation of Citizens Association has been protesting against collection of holding tax since 2011
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa high court’s interim order asking the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to be lenient on people unable to pay holding tax in view of pandemic situation prompted the government to suspend tax collection at revised rates apart from protests.
The HC had said in its September 4, 2020, order, “The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation can collect the holding tax @50 % of the assessment involved but without prejudice to the rights and contentions of both the parties and subject to the final outcome of the writ petition. Further considering the continuation of pandemic situation due to Covid-19, it is also directed that in the event any consumer approaching the BMC, indicating his difficulty to pay the tax at one go and seeking instalments, the BMC shall do well in granting relief to the person.”