Residents of Hubballi-Dharwad are outraged over a sudden surge in property tax bills issued by the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), with increases ranging from 60% to 100%—far beyond the 3% hike officially announced. The shocking discrepancy stems from steep increases in Solid Waste Management (SWM) and Underground Drainage (UGD) cess charges, leaving many taxpayers confused and angry.
Due to a delay in generating tax challans, residents are now being asked to pay arrears with penalties for two financial years, even though many have receipts showing full payment till 2024-25.
D.M. Shanbhag, president of the Hubballi-Dharwad Citizens Forum, accused HDMC of concealing facts:
“They aren’t disclosing that the 3% hike is being collected retroactively from 2023-24, now with a two-year penalty. Citizens are left with inflated dues.”
Former KCCI president Vasant Ladawa, also a Congress leader, questioned the legitimacy of the new cesses:
“SWM cess has doubled from ₹50 to ₹100/month. UGD cess is being charged even where work hasn’t started. No classification of properties was done. Where was the public notification or discussion?”
Mayor Ramappa Badiger defended the hike, stating that while the state allows a 5% hike, HDMC opted for 3%. He said the cesses (₹1,200 for SWM, ₹600 for UGD annually) follow state instructions and blamed the government for releasing only 80% of sanctioned funds:
“We’re asked to cover the shortfall—like ₹20 crore for the 7th Pay Commission—through local taxes.”
#TaxTransparencyNow #HDMCControversy #CessBurden #CitizenVoicesMatter