BJP MLAs urge CM not to hike ready reckoner rates in Mumbai

A group of BJP legislators from Mumbai today urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to go for the annual hike in ready reckoner (RR) rates in the metropolis in 2016.
During a debate in the ongoing session of the state legislature in Nagpur, a delegation of BJP MLAs led by Ashish Shelar argued in the Legislative Assembly that the hike in the RR rates would affect Mumbaikars, as they will have to bear the corresponding rise in property tax.
"There should be no annual hike made in the RR rates in January 2016. If the RR rates are increased, it would hit the ordinary Mumbaikars," demanded the delegation comprising Yogesh Sagar, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Atul Bhatkhalkar and others.

Responding to the issue raised by Shelar through a point of propriety, state Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse assured the House that the government would not allow across the board hike in RR rates.
"The government will study the impact of hike in ready reckoner rates on construction of houses, redevelopment and property tax. The government will not allow the annual across the board hike in ready reckoner rates for Mumbai," he said.
In a statement issued here later, Shelar said in Mumbai the government gives impetus to several re-development projects of old buildings and slums, thanks to which many people's dream of affordable housing is turning into reality.

"At such a time if the rates are hiked, then it would stall re-development projects. The proposed hike would also adversely impact the sale of unsold flats affecting the Housing sector," the BJP leader said.
According to him, the cascading effect of the proposed hike would also affect stamp duty registration of flats and correspondingly affect state revenue.