Paying up in June may pinch people’s pockets

BANGALORE: Are people ready for yet another property tax payment? Here���s what a few taxpayers and resident welfare association members across the city had to say when asked about their preparation for the next block period 2009-10:

���It���s just one/two months since we paid the last property tax. Some are burdened with filing income tax returns and college fees. We need time till July or August to pay tax for the next block period,��� says N Mukund, executive committee member of Jayanagar 5th Block RWA. He suggests BBMP hold a property tax adalat before the next block period. ���This might help clear many doubts among taxpayers,��� he explains.

Ashwin, a resident of Nirguna Mandir Layout in Koramangala, promptly paid his tax during the rebate period for 2008-09 recently. He has a similar representation to make. ���From a salaried employee���s point of view, paying property tax again within two-three months will be a great burden, June is the month when parents have to pay school/college fees,��� he says.

With no increments and in some cases, a few even earning less than previous year due to pay cuts courtesy recession, he feels even an extension by one month would mean a great relief to many. According to Zaffar Sait, a resident of Fraser Town, people have not yet given a thought to the next block period.

Some are yet to pay for the current block period. But looking at the market conditions and present job profiles, it would be great to have an extension by a month at least, considering that it���s June, month for admissions to schools and transfers in corporate sectors, he explains.

Why deadline should be extended:

��� School/college admissions in June

��� Job transfers take place in June

��� I-T returns to be filed then

��� Pay cuts

��� No increment