SAD-BJP to levy fresh taxes of Rs 4,000 cr: Bajwa

Accusing the SAD-BJP of imposing "irrational" taxes, Punjab Congress today claimed that the state government was likely to levy fresh taxes to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore on people as the state was facing "huge" revenue deficit.
"The SAD-BJP government is likely to impose fresh taxes to the tune of Rs 4,000 crores on people. The state government has mooted a proposal to impose professional tax on lawyers, doctors, private teachers and architects etc," Punjab Congress Chief, Partap Singh Bajwa said in a statement here.
He said Finance Minister Parminder Dhindsa had already imposed taxes amounting to Rs 2,000 crore.

"SAD-BJP alliance government is acting in desperation to bridge the revenue deficit and imposing an irrational tax structure to cover up their failures," he said.
He blamed SAD-BJP government's policies for huge revenue deficit.
Bajwa also took a dig at the state government for charging hefty fee for the regularisation of more than 5,000 illegal colonies in the state.

"The government's decision of charging fee of Rs 400 per square feet from owners of plots in about 5340 colonies across the state would hit nearly two lakh families," he said.
Bajwa demanded the roll back of "hefty" fee imposed on regularisation of illegal colonies.

He even asked the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal under what rules, the government department approved the layout plans of these colonies and also provided power connections to them.
Bajwa also blamed SAD ally BJP for the "plight" of urban people who have been "overburdened" with taxes.
"BJP didn't oppose imposition of property tax and party's ministers kept quite in the cabinet meeting when decision to impose hefty fees on illegal colonies was taken," he alleged.
He claimed said that it was due to pressure built by Congress party that state government was forced to review the property tax rates.