ILLEGAL EXTRACTION UNDER THE GUISE OF HOLDING TAX

ILLEGAL EXTRACTION UNDER THE GUISE OF HOLDING TAX

2-APRIL-ENG 20

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The Shahpur Nagar Panchayat (Town Council) in the district has become the center of attention these days—not for its developmental works, however, but due to alleged illegal extortion being carried out in the name of collecting holding tax. Local residents allege that Nagar Panchayat employees are fleecing ordinary citizens by enforcing arbitrary rules and employing tactics of intimidation and coercion. This situation has created an atmosphere of confusion and outrage throughout the entire municipal area.

Many residents state that whenever they question the tax collection process, they are cited complex regulations that are utterly incomprehensible. The conduct of the employees is highly irresponsible; they are coercing people into making payments by threatening them with exorbitant fines.

The situation appears even more grave when viewed in the context of recent administrative events. It is pertinent to note that the then Executive Officer, Nishat Alam, had already been suspended by the department due to similar irregularities and the imposition of heavy fines regarding building plan taxes. Despite this, this unscrupulous practice continues unabated within the Shahpur Nagar Panchayat. Corroborating these allegations, Babita Devi, the Councilor for Ward No. 09, stated that there is no clear record or ledger available at the municipal office regarding past holding tax collections.

**Vice-Chairperson to File Complaint for High-Level Inquiry**

Adopting a firm stance on the matter, the Vice-Chairperson of the Nagar Panchayat, Jhuniya Devi, has made it clear that such arbitrary conduct by the municipal employees is unacceptable at any level. She asserted that no one has the authority to harass the public. The Vice-Chairperson announced that she would file a formal complaint against these employees with the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, demanding a fair and impartial investigation into the matter.

**Councilors Have Lost the Public's Trust: Vidyanand Pandey**

On the other hand, the general public is deeply resentful of the mysterious silence maintained by the other councilors amidst this entire unfolding saga. Local residents—particularly Bidyanand Pandey (District Vice President of LJP-R) from Ward No. 05—have expressed a sharp reaction to this apathy shown by the councilors. He asserts that they have lost the trust of the general public; those very representatives who were elected to safeguard the interests of the people have today become mere spectators. As a result of this ‘silence,’ the people have completely lost faith in them.