Mysore: 50 pc property tax relief for ex-servicemen

50 pc property tax relief for ex-servicemen
Sreekantswamy B, Mysore, DHNS:
Families of retired ex-servicemen, who have been given privileges, can now add another to the list. The State government has decided to waive 50 per cent of the property tax for their houses or land.
The Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary, published on April 28, 2012, states that according to the Karnataka Municipalities And Certain Other Law (Amendment) Act, 2011, it is said that “the municipal council may exempt 50 per cent of the property tax on any one piece of land or building belonging to an ex-serviceman or the family of a deceased ex-serviceman.” But there are clear conditions.
An ex-serviceman is defined as a person who has served in the regulary Army, Navy and Air Force of the Union, at any rank. He or she may also be a person who has served in Defence Security Corps, the General Reserve Engineering Force, the Lok Sahayak Sena and Paramilitary forces. The family of the deceased ex-serviceman can include the father, mother, a surviving spouse and dependent children. The ex-serviceman and their dependents are liable for the tax rebate only if they reside at the home being submitted for consideration. The ex-serviceman should also be a permanent resident of the State — a fact that should be verifiable by the Sainik Welfare Board.
The Governor has approved the amendment on April 26, 2012. R S Vishwanath, the deputy director of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Board, also confirmed that he had received instructions to enforce the rule. To this effect, he said that he has written to the commissioner of Mysore City Corporation, chief executive officer of Zilla Panchayat, and local bodies of seven taluks in the district. A reply is pending.
The tax relief was first proposed in the budget and was expected to go into practice from the following year.
By taking steps to implement the rule, the State joins Maharashtra where several municipal corporations, such as Thane and Navi Mumbai, have already been providing tax relief for ex-servicemen, although with changes and with a varied percentage. Nearly 4,000 ex-servicemen and their dependents currently live in Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar.
50 pc property tax relief for ex-servicemen
Comment: The property tax should be exempted for all ESM Nationwide. This should be the primary and enabling task of Secretary ESM (IAS Officer) who right now is cooling his heels in this appointment.

Collector distributes aid to families of ex-servicemen

The Hindu Online edition of India's National Newspaper Friday, Jun 17, 2011
COIMBATORE: District Collector M. Karunakaran on Tuesday presented assistance to the families of ex-servicemen to a tune of Rs. 44,347 at a special camp held at the Collectorate.
At the special camp, ex-servicemen and their families presented petitions seeking employment, bank loan, drinking water connection and free house site pattas.
Later, Mr. Karunkaran handed over a cheque for Rs. 2,400 towards the monthly assistance for the months of April, May and June and orders providing Rs. 800 per month for lifetime to Karunambal, wife of K.N. Nair, who laid his life in the Second World War. He also gave a cheque for Rs. 4,800 to Bhuvaneswari from the family of an ex-serviceman towards educational assistance from the Central Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board.
A cheque for Rs. 400 was given to P. Shanthi towards concession from property tax and a cheque for Rs. 774 to another Shanthi again as concession from property tax. Twelve persons were given Rs. 3,000 each totalling Rs. 36,000 towards the assistance for last rites.
Later a conference on self-employment prospects was conducted for the benefit of ex-servicemen and their family members. Revenue and Ex-servicemen Welfare Board officials took part in the special camp.
Collector distributes aid to families of ex-servicemen
Amalgamated Special Fund (ASF) For Reconstruction And Rehabilitation Of Ex-Servicemen, Madhya Pradesh

Zila Sainik Welfare organises ex-servicemen, widows’ rally Written by Newspoint Bureau
Saturday, 11 June 2011 00:03
Jammu Tawi, June 10, Zila Sainik Welfare officer Samba Col KB Gupta today organised an ex-servicemen and widow's rally in Ramgarh which was attended by 1,000 ex-servicemen and widows. As per press release, the rally was addressed by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Samba, Anil Kumar Gupta and others. Col KB Gupta explained that children of defence personnel were entitled to 3% quota seats in all medical and engineering colleges. All children who scored 60% marks in 8th, 10th and 12th and secured 65% in graduation were allowed to One Time incentive from RSB. State Bank of India for the help of defence pensioners opened help line for sorting out the problems of defence pensioners. They have to SMS word ‘Unhappy’ to phone number 80082202020, SBI executives will get in touch and resolve the issue. Brig RS Langeh Director Sainik Welfare J&K, Anil Kumar Gupta, Additional District Development Comm-issioner Samba and others were also present.
Zila Sainik Welfare organises ex-servicemen, widows’ rally

Adarsh scam: Court of inquiry indicts ex-army chiefs Deepak Kapoor, NC Vij

Headlines Today Bureau | New Delhi, March 24, 2011 | Updated 09:43 IST
An army court of inquiry (CoI) into Mumbai's Adarsh Housing Society scam has indicted former chiefs Gen Deepak Kapoor and Gen N.C. Vij.

The CoI also indicted four lieutenant generals and three major generals. The officers indicted include Lt Gen G.S. Sihota, Lt Gen P.K. Rampal, Lt Gen Shantanu Choudhry, Lt Gen Tejinder Singh, Maj Gen Ram Kanwar Hooda, Maj Gen A.R. Kumar, Major Gen V.S. Yadav and Maj Gen Tej Kishen Kaul.

The CoI found the conduct of the officers blameworthy. It said that prima facie culpability had been exposed and it was now for the CBI to probe the matter.

The army submitted its CoI report to the defence ministry last week.

In December last year, Defence Minister A.K. Antony had ordered a CBI probe to fix responsibility of the armed forces and defence estates officers in the Adarsh scam, in which a private housing society got NOC to construct a 31-storey complex on a plot in Colaba.

The plot was meant for Kargil war heroes but they did not get homes in the complex. The scam also cost then Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan his job.
Adarsh scam: Court of inquiry indicts ex-army chiefs Deepak Kapoor, NC Vij
Comment: Sad Commentary on the state of Military Affairs. Ex Servicemen need to hang their heads in shame who were primarily responsible for favouring corrupt officers when penning ACRs whilst in Service!

Vijay Diwas at Navi Mumbai- 15 Aug 2009

Dear All
Over 200 ESM comprising of All Ranks from Army/Navy/Airforce, in Navi Mumbai celebrated VIJAY- DIWAS on 15 Aug 2009 at YMCA Hall CBD Belapur under the aegis of EX-SERVICEMEN LEAGUE, Affiliated to IESM.
This was to provide a platform for exchange of views between Defence & Civil fraternity, on various issues affecting ESM,Defence/Security of Nation,local matters like,naming of roads after the Defence Martyrs/ Hero's, War Memorial, Property Tax exemption & Allotment of accommodation for ESM to meet/ interact etc.
Mr Suresh Haware renowned Social activist, Scientist & Entrepreneur, was the chief Guest,large number of speakers from both sides spoke, including Vice Admiral IC Rao, PVSM, AVSM(Retd) Col DP Singh, President, Ex servicemen League gave out resume of ESM activities in Navi Mumbai including compilation of ESM directory. The meeting ended with National Anthem followed by Tea & snacks. We plan to hold regular meetings to bring all ESM on one platform and Interact with local Civil/ Political entities in the cause of ESM.
Brigadier Dharam Prakash (Retd)

ESM in Mumbai exempted from paying property tax

Dear Colleagues,
With all your moral support we the ex- servicemen league CBD Navi Mumbai have won the first round. It is a victory which effects everybody. All the ex servicemen will feel happy.

The standing commitee of navi mumbai has passed a bill whereby all ex- servicemen will be exempted from paying property tax. This was a combined effort. Brig dharam prakash played an important role. You may like to advise other ESM organisations also.
Regards,
Lt Col DP Singh
PRESIDENT, EX SERVICE MEN LEAGUE CBD, Navi Mumbai

Congratulations
A great victory for Mumbaikars. What about other States Governments who still continue to remain indifferent to the woes of ESM? IESL and IESM who have All India footprint need to take up the issue with MoD and sound the ESM Welfare Secretary on taking up the worthwhile Property Tax exemption for ESM on All India basis.

Single window agency and exemption of property tax for ex-servicemen.

Bangalore, DHNS: Saturday, December 8, 2007
Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Friday announced the establishment of single window agency for the benefit of ex-servicemen.

Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen on the occasion of ‘Armed Forces Flag Day’, Mr Thakur said, the Government will in a month’s time set-up the agency - for addressing the grievances and also for providing job avenues to the sainiks post-retirement. “We will establish the centre within a month which will exclusively cater to the needs of the sainiks. Their demand for exemption from property tax will also be looked into,” he added.
Earlier Chief Secretary P B Mahishi said, the gap between corporate world and Armed Forces has reduced, as the Armed Forces is now being considered as a good career alternative. “The Government is contemplating to introduce welfare schemes for ex-servicemen who continue to be our national assets,” Mr Mahishi said.

Later, the Governor released the Flag Day souvenir and Armed Forces flags, on the occasion. Four ex-servicemen Dr M P Ganesh from the Corps of Signals, Capt S Raja Rao, an ex-army engineer, Capt S Ravi from the Artillery Regiment and M R Jain from the IAF were honoured for their contribution to the Forces in various fields by the Governor.
Single window agency for the benefit of ex-servicemen

No property tax for all ex-servicemen in Kerala
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has restored property tax exemption to residential houses of all ex-servicemen and their widows.

The government had earlier limited the benefit to ex-servicemen who had been injured while in service or widows of servicemen who died in action.

The government decided to withdraw the limitation after Minister for Local Self Government Paloli Mohamedkutty held discussions with the representatives of ex-service men. —Special Correspondent
No property tax for all ex-servicemen in Kerala

Comments: Tall promises year after year- The single window system for redressal of ESM grievances is a pipe dream. Kerala is the only state to exempt Property Tax to all Ex Servicemen. All other states should emulate at least this gesture towards those who served to protect the nation. Property tax of states like Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi are relatively high and the slab is increased by 20% every five years. There should be uniform policy of exemption of property tax for all ESM. The MOD (Secretary Welfare of ESM) should ensure a a uniform policy to be followed by all the State Governments to exempt property tax for all ESM, as a legitimate welfare measure. All ESM welfare organisations will do well to take up this noble cause as genuine welfare measure in its charter of duties.