Shillong, Jan 27: Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai has raised concerns over the exorbitant increase in land rent within Shillong Cantonment Area, questioning the violation of the right to equality compared to adjacent municipal areas.
“There cannot be two different tax structures for cantonment and municipal area,” Shullai stated.
Shullai led a delegation of BJP leaders to New Delhi, where he met Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Director General of Defence Estate Shoba Gupta.
He submitted a representation 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 in his written submission.
He emphasized that the exorbitant increase in rent has led to pending cases in the Supreme Court and various high courts across the country.
Shullai stated that the govt should frame a comprehensive policy such that rent is at 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 the month of February,” he informed.
Shullai also hinted that 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.
