Diamond Yadav | Moradabad | July 28
The National Anti-Corruption Council of India (Rashtriya Bhrashtachar Daman Parishad Bharat) held its review meeting at Shehnai Mandap in the Civil Lines area of Moradabad on Monday. The meeting commenced with the national anthem and focused on concerns over the recent increase in property and water taxes imposed by urban local bodies in Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing the gathering, National President K.K. Mishra alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department had significantly increased property and water taxes in municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats without clearly defining the criteria used for the revision. He claimed that the tax assessment process lacked transparency and alleged that officials had acted arbitrarily while determining the revised rates.
According to Mishra, residents have been unable to obtain satisfactory explanations regarding the basis for the tax hike, while the increase has placed an additional financial burden on middle-class and economically weaker sections. He demanded that the revised tax structure be reviewed and reassessed.
Following the meeting, the organisation submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner, seeking a review of the tax revision process. The council stated that if no action is taken within 21 days, a delegation will meet Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma to press its demands.
The council also reiterated its broader demand for strict action against corruption, calling for an investigation into the movable and immovable assets of political representatives, government officials, and employees. It further demanded that any illegally acquired assets, if established through due process, should be confiscated in accordance with the law and deposited into the national treasury.
Among those present at the meeting were Anil Kumar Sharma, Diamond Yadav, Meenu Gupta, Brijesh Yadav, Amit Gautam, Rajkumar Gautam, Advocate Manish, Ram Singh, Sanjay Saxena, Naveen Saxena, S.P. Diwana, B. Saroj, Mohammad Ali, Siraj Ahmad, Tejpal Yadav, and Govind Sharma.
