Pimpri: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to waive off the income tax for the last six months from March to provide relief to the workers, traders and the general public in the Pimpri-Chinchwad jurisdiction. Although the decision has been sealed by the corporation meeting which is constituted by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Corporators. It will be implemented only after the final approval of the Maharashtra state government.

Due to coronavirus spread, the lockdown was imposed and which resulted in a financial crisis for all citizens. Considering such financial crises, the BJP elected representative from the PCMC areas had decided to waive off the income tax for three months, March, April and May.

In fact, the proposal was tabled in the house of the PCMC municipal corporation. But no decision could be taken even after it was presented in the session. Ruling party leader Namdev Dhake said that the meeting was not held due to the lockdown. So, the topic issue was raised late.

In Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation is led by BJP. Although, the decision has been raised and approved mutually, the Maharashtra state government will be making the decision to waive off the income tax. The Maharashtra State Government approval will not be granted without the consent of the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Even if approved by the municipality, it is necessary to get the green single from the Maharashtra state government. The Commissioner has sent a letter to the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department regarding the income tax waiver of two and a half months. He had necessitated that the government take appropriate decisions regarding the demand of local people's representatives for waiver of income tax. The government has not yet clarified its position.

What is in the proposal?

Pimpri-Chinchwad is an industrial city with a large working population. The coronavirus outbreak has impacted the citizens since March. Therefore, it will be difficult to pay the income tax of the PCMC. In order to provide relief in this regard, a proposal was made to waive the six-month income tax levied on all workers, traders, small and large traders, residents of small scale industries, non-residents as well as industrial properties, and it was approved.