THE Walton Cantonment Board, Lahore, in a rude shock to its constituents, has quietly increased property tax by more than Rs8,000 for the fiscal year 2013-14.

This whooping rise is bound to affect adversely the tenants as the landlords will pass on the increase to them in the shape of higher rent.

Last year the property tax before Sept 30 was Rs34,434. This has now been raised to Rs43,060. The water charges have gone up to Rs3,600 from Rs1,800, the sewerage charges from Rs360 to Rs1,200 while additional Rs2,400 has been imposed as conservancy charges. Nobody knows what this new charge is and neither has WCB is bothered to explain it.

The WCB has also not explained any justification for this huge increase in the annual property tax. With enhancement in electricity and gas tariffs in addition to hike in petroleum prices, PTV fee, this is certainly the last straw on the proverbial camel’s back.

The WCB is requested to reconsider imposition of such increase in the property tax and rationalise it to an affordable level.

FAWAD HASHMEY
Lahore