Shillong, Jan 27: Minister Sanbor Shullai opposed different land rent in cantonment and municipal areas.
“There cannot be two different tax structures for cantonment and municipal area,” Shullai said after he led a delegation of BJP leaders to New Delhi.
He met the Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Director General of Defence Estate Shoba Gupta.
He handed over a letter regarding the abnormal rise in tax in cantonment area following the implementation of the interim policy.
“We request the ministry to amend the interim policy and implement 25% of the calculated STR for existing lessees,” Shullai said.
He said the exorbitant increase in rent has led to pending cases in the Supreme Court and various high courts across the country.
According to Shullai, the government should frame a comprehensive policy such that rent is on a par with the adjoining municipal area. The delegation during its meeting with the director requested for speedy implementation of building bye laws and also to expedite the sanctioning of a reservoir with a capacity of 6 lakh litre to fulfill the requirement of shillong cantonment area.
Shullai also invited the Minister of State to lay the foundation stone for various upcoming projects which will be first of its kind in the history of the cantonment area.
“The union defence minister of state is likely to visit Shillong in February,” he said.
The BJP delegation is likely to meet the Prime Minister for speedy implementation of policies since cabinet approval is mandatory, as discussed with defence authorities.
