‘₹56,000 crore tax collected, yet not used for development’: BJP leader R Ashoka

BENGALURU: Opposition Leader R Ashoka on Wednesday claimed that even though an additional Rs 56,00,00,00,000 in taxes are being collected from the people of the state, development is not taking place. He demanded that “no matter how many guarantees are given, we have no objection, but development must happen”.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Ashoka stated that “by increasing various taxes and fees in the state, a total of Rs 56,00,00,00,000 in taxes are being collected from the people, yet this is not being used for development. Even after using this money for guarantees, there would still be money left”.

“We are not saying don’t give money for guarantees. But Congress MLAs themselves are opposing this. MLAs have said that if guarantees are given, everything will go bankrupt. Through this, Congress has become a divided house. If grants were given to MLAs, they would have kept quiet. Because no grants are given and no development is done, this situation has arisen. The KSRTC has been left with dues of Rs 1,554 crore and BMTC with Rs 532 crore”, he said.

The Opposition Leader said, “Under SCSP/TSP, Rs 35,000 crore have been taken and used for guarantees. They themselves had framed the law that Dalits’ money should not be touched. At the beginning, the government had said they would not impose taxes, but save money from commissions and give it for development. But now contractors are saying that commissions have become 60 per cent. In 27 months, 25 taxes have been imposed”.

“Garbage cess has been doubled, milk prices have been increased twice. Bus fares increased by 15 per cent, vehicle prices by 9 per cent, Cauvery water charges increased, drainage charges increased by 300 per cent, liquor prices by 40 per cent, liquor shop licence fees by 50 per cent, electricity rates by 36 paise per unit, Metro fares increased, property guidance values increased, professional tax increased, service charges in government hospitals increased, labor department fees increased up to Rs 250. In BBMP limits, outside RERA, Rs 15,000 per flat has been imposed. This is a form of tax terrorism”, he alleged.

He further said that if a car is parked inside the house, parking fees are imposed. Panchayat e-khata charges Rs 1,000, separate charges for e-khata in BBMP, Rs 50 for death certificate, Rs 100 for stamp paper for farmers’ loans, and many such taxes and fees have been increased.

“From garbage tax, Rs 750 crore; from milk, Rs 1,300 crore; from petrol-diesel, Rs 6,500 crore; from bus tickets, Rs 1,000 crore; from vehicle registration fees, Rs 3,300 crore; from water charges, Rs 600 crore; thus, additional money is coming from extra taxes and fees”, he said.

He later asserted that there are more than 1,500 potholes on roads in Bengaluru. “It is not possible to drive vehicles smoothly on any road. When D K Shivakumar was given responsibility for Bengaluru, he spoke of dreaming big. He said he would develop the city that provides 60-65 per cent of the revenue. But like a storyteller, he has woven tales and deceived people. Brand Bengaluru has gone, and it has become “floating Bengaluru and bad Bengaluru”.

“No work is being done properly in Bengaluru. Due to potholes, the speed of BMTC buses has come down from 15 km to 9 km. Skywalks have turned into garbage dumps. Bengaluru has come to the 3rd position in the list of worst cities. Arterial and sub-arterial roads are 824 km long, and so far 5,000 crore rupees have been spent. Where has all this money gone?” he questioned.

“Even after spending one lakh crore rupees on the Yettinahole project, it is not completed. Similarly, the tunnel road project has been proposed at a cost of 17,000 crore rupees. If toll is imposed on it, no one will use it. Then, garbage can be dumped in the tunnel itself. I am not against development. But if money is wasted on the tunnel, city development will be impossible”, he added.

The opposition leader said that they have brought e-khata as if it is a burden for development. “They charge Rs 12,000 for a one-time khata. Wherever you go to any office, they say server down. If one owner receives OTP on mobile 150 times, what to say about such a system? E-khata should mean simplicity. But there is suspicion that this has led to irregularities worth Rs 10,000 crore”.

“There is no solution to the flood problem in Bengaluru. In the future, along with buying buses, boats will also have to be purchased. Every time it rains, trees fall and four or five people die. BBMP has no money to cut branches and maintain trees”, he said.

“Congress MLA Raju Kage had said that coconuts were broken long ago but work has not started yet. Still, Rs 20 crore have not been given to my constituency. They have said they will not give grants to BJP MLAs. If grants are given to everyone, development can be done. Do whatever with the guarantees. But do development works like schools, drinking water, hospitals, etc. Because of this, people are not getting justice”, he said. (ANI)