Shillong, Oct 2: The National People’s Party (NPP) Shillong City has alleged that imposition of holding tax by the Shillong Municipal Board in tribal areas is illegal.

NPP Shillong City spokesperson, Erwin K. Syiem Sutnga on Monday said that no tax should be collected without proper verification.
“The imposition of holding tax by the Shillong Municipal Board in tribal areas of Shillong City is totally illegal when land belongs to the tribal people. The holding tax cannot be imposed and should be abolished,” Sutnga said.

According to him, the SMB can charge only for sanitary services, water, and street lights.

“Both tribals and non-tribals are affected by increasing the taxes. This is also illegal since elections to the SMB have not been held for a long time. Raising taxes and dues are illegal,” he said, adding that the Meghalaya government has inappropriately amended the Meghalaya Municipal Act 1973 to allow hike in taxes.