The Municipal Corporation in Agra issued a notice to ASI asking them to pay 1.5 lakh on property tax and 1.9 lakh on water bills on the Taj Mahal. 15 days had been granted to the ASI to pay the debt.
The Municipal Corporation in Agra, Uttar Pradesh issued a notice to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) asking to pay 1.5 lakh on property tax and 1.9 lakh on water bills on the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. According to media reports, the bills are for the financial years 2021–22 and 2022–23.
According to the ASI officials, the Taj Mahal’s outstanding house tax notice which was issued last month was received a few days ago. 15 days had been granted to the ASI to pay the debt, or else the Taj Mahal would be “attached” if the tax is not paid on time.
Raj Kumar Patel ASI superintendent archaeologist said that “property tax is not applicable on monuments. Since there is no commercial usage for water, we are also not required to pay water taxes. Water is used to keep the grounds green. For the first time, the Taj Mahal has gotten notices for water and property tax. It’s possible that it was delivered unintentionally.”
The ASI official stated that the Taj Mahal was declared as a protected monument in 1920, and even under the rule of the British, no house tax was imposed on the monument.
He further stated that the Taj Mahal, the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, and the Agra Fort are national monuments that are free from such taxes.
According to him, the ASI has never before paid such a sum despite caring after nearly 4,000 monuments nationwide.
Municipal Commissioner Nikhil T Funde said, “I am not aware of the tax-related proceedings relating to the Taj Mahal. New notices were sent on the basis of a statewide Geographic Information System (GIS) survey undertaken for tax calculation. All properties, including governmental and religious institutions, have received notifications based on unpaid dues. Refunds are given in accordance with the law. If notices are sent to ASI, the necessary action will be taken.
Sarita Singh, an assistant municipal commissioner in charge of the Tajganj area, said “Investigations are being done into the problem of notices sent out for water and property tax on the Taj Mahal. Based on a GIS study, a private corporation has been charged with collecting tax.”
