For First time Ever, Taj Mahal Receives Notices Of Property Tax Of Rs. 1.5 Lakh And Water Tax Of Rs. 1.9 Crore
Agra, 20th December 2022: For the first time in India’s history, a property and water tax is being levied on the Taj Mahal monument. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has received notifications from the Agra Municipal Corporation for failing to pay water taxes totalling Rs. 1.9 crore and real estate taxes totalling Rs. 1.5 lakh.
The tax bills for the financial years 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 are due and must be paid within 15 days, according to a TOI article.
However, ASI supervising archaeologist Raj Kumar Patel claimed that as this had never happened before, the notices must have been sent in error. The Taj Mahal is a protected landmark as well. Therefore, the ASI is exempt from paying such taxes. He went on to say that even the water is only used to maintain the gardens in the vicinity of the monument.
According to Agra Municipal Commissioner Nikhil T Funde, “Concerning the geographic information system (GIS) survey that was carried out throughout the state, notices of taxes have been sent to all governmental and religious buildings. The Taj Mahal received tax notifications, which I am also unaware of.”
According to Sarita Singh, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, a commercial business was tasked with conducting the surveys that determined the levies. Investigations are also being conducted on the matter of notices delivered to the Taj Mahal for the payment of taxes.
