Taj Mahal Gets Property Tax, Water Tax Notices!

In what can be shocking news, world-famous heritage monument Taj Mahal has been served property and water tax notices. A whopping Rs 1.9 crore as water tax and Rs 1.5 lakh as property tax on the Taj Mahal has been served. The bills are for the financial year 2021-22 and 2022-23. 

The Agra Municipal Corporation slapped these notices on the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which manages the heritage property Taj Mahal. What’s more? If the tax was not cleared within the stipulated time i.e within 15 days, the property (Taj Mahal) would be “attached” , said the notices of the Agra Municipal Corporation. 

ASI argues that the property tax is not applicable for monuments and heritage properties. The water tax is also not applicable since there is no commercial use of it. The ASI archaeologists say that water is used to maintain greenery within premises. 

Meanwhile, reports have it that Agra municipal commissioner Nikhil T Funde wasn’t aware about the tax notices slapped against ASI related to Taj Mahal. He said notices were sent to several government buildings and religious sites based on dues pending after statewide geographic information system (GIS) survey.

This is not all. Another ASI-protected monument Itmad-ud-Daulah was also served a similar notice. The Municipal Corporation said rebate on tax is based on due process of law. The Municipal corporation said it awaits formal response from the ASI. More details are awaited.