Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation Rejects Property Tax Hike, Focuses on Expanding Tax Base

Muzaffarpur/ Patna: In a move welcomed by residents, the Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation has rejected a proposal to increase property tax on houses in the urban area. This decision, the first in nearly a decade, signals the corporation’s commitment to avoiding additional financial burdens on the public.

Instead of raising taxes on existing properties, the corporation plans to boost revenue by conducting a fresh survey to identify properties currently outside the tax net and by increasing the annual recovery target from Rs 45 crore to Rs 75 crore.

This decision was announced on Friday during the presentation of the corporation’s budget to the Empowered Standing Committee. The proposed budget, with an estimated income of Rs 619 crore, was rejected by the committee, which deemed it incomplete and suggested improvements on several points. A revised budget will be presented in a subsequent meeting and, once approved, will be finalized by the corporation board and sent to the state government.

Mayor Nirmala Sahu emphasized the importance of the budget as a reflection of the institution’s development priorities. “Amendments will be made to give prominence to development,” she stated. Deputy Mayor Dr. Monalisa echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for a budget that prioritizes public interest and delivers direct benefits to citizens.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Municipal Commissioner Vikram Virkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Sonu Kumar Rai, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and several councilors.