Terming the proposed holding-tax hike 'exorbitant', a platform of Dhaka's landlords rejected Sunday the rate of raise and made a five-point demand, including cancellation of the decision.
They also urged the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) authorities to limit the increase within 15 per cent of the existing rate.
Their demands also include the formation of a committee with landlords' participation to fix a reasonable rate and not to impose commercial establishments' rate on residential units.
If their demands were not met in a peaceful way, the house-owners announced their plan to go for a tougher movement.
Fronting the banner 'Amra Dhanmondibashi (we are residents of Dhanmondi)', the group came up with the demands at a press conference at the National Press Club. Convener of the organisation Mohammad Shawkat Hossain addressed the press meet. Other leaders, including Jahanara Begum, M A Matin and Golam Rabbani, were present.
Mr Shawkat Hossain said the DSCC exorbitantly re-fixed the holding tax rate up to 15 times higher for the establishments under its domain "in the name of re-fixation".
"The new rate of holding tax has been fixed exorbitantly high. For example, two flat owners of a same building are to pay different amounts of tax," said Mr Hossain. He said the holding-tax rate was last re-fixed in fiscal year (FY) 1989-90. The authorities concerned were supposed to re-fix the rate every five years as per the city corporation law 1986.
"Now, the sudden irrational hike in the holding-tax rate to adjust the burden of 25-26 years is not acceptable," he said.
The homeowners declared several programmes at the press conference to press home their demands. They also warned of tougher programmes unless the demands are fulfilled in a peaceful way.
They will submit a memorandum to the DSCC mayor and ward councilors Thursday and form a human chain on the street from Kalabagan to Russel Square on November 18 in support of their cause. The house-owners also said they would not pay holding tax until a reasonable rate is fixed.
