Edappadi Palaniswami is responsible for the increase in property tax, alleges K.N. Nehru

Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru on Thursday accused former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami of shedding crocodile tears over the increase in property tax while he was responsible for the increase in property tax.

In a statement in Chennai, he said Mr Palaniswami agreed to the conditions of the 15th Finance Commission that states should fix minimum floor rates to get grants from the Centre.

Responding to the AIADMK’s agitation against the resolution in Tirupur Municipal Corporation for increasing property tax, Mr Nehru said if Tamil Nadu refused to follow the recommendations it would not get Rs 4,36,361 crore due to the state for the period between 2021 and 2026.

“When the Finance Commission imposed stringent rules, Mr Palaniswami maintained a good rapport with the Centre. Now he sought to suppress the fact,” he said.

He said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had advised the department to increase the tax in a manner it would not affect the poor. “When compared to other states, the property tax is lower in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Published - November 29, 2024 12:38 am IST