KMC general body to meet on March 18; tax hikes and amnesty schemes on agenda

Kolhapur: The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) will hold its general body meeting on Wednesday, March 18. The session, featuring a 27-resolution agenda, is the first to be conducted since the recent standing committee elections.The KMC administration is expected to table several proposals to increase various taxes, user charges, and gunthewari (land regularisation) rates. KMC additional commissioner Ravikant Adsul stated, "The environment department has proposed establishing a biodiversity management committee at the municipal level. Meanwhile, the fire department has proposed hiking the rental rates for fire engines, ambulances, and hearses (shav-vahika), along with various inspection fees."Other key administrative items include a proposal to redefine the scope of work for divisional offices following the new ward restructuring and a resolution to confirm amendments to business licence regulations for the upcoming financial year.The house will also consider appointing an expert with specialised administrative knowledge as a nominated member of the Women and Child Welfare Committee, which currently has nine members. In a move to streamline utility services, a resolution has been proposed to provide authorized water connections to residents of adjoining villages who are currently using water illegally.Further highlights of the agenda include a a proposal for a 100% waiver on arrears of municipal water charges and property rent penalties, a resolution to beautify and conserve the Tararani statue at Tararani Chowk, a policy to ensure that KMC schools and playgrounds are used exclusively for educational activities, alongside efforts to revive closed municipal schools.Reservation of slum land in Joshi Nagar for the construction of housing for backward classes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).Corporator Sharangdhar Deshmukh noted that the estate department has proposed implementing or extending the ‘Abhay' (amnesty) scheme, regarding shop houses, buildings, and open spaces. "There is also a member-led resolution demanding that charges for digging water connections be maintained at old rates and that the fees for new water and drainage connections across the city be reduced," Deshmukh added.