In a momentous decision, Ganesh Deshmukh, the Municipal Commissioner of Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC), has issued an amended order under the State Urban Local Bodies' Tax Exemption Scheme. This order grants a complete waiver of property taxes to all former soldiers and their widows residing within PMC's jurisdiction. The move comes in response to a formal request from former Assembly leader, Mr. Paresh Thakur.

The General Administration Department of the Maharashtra Government has directed PMC, in accordance with the government's policy decisions, to provide a 100% exemption in property tax under the tax waiver scheme for all former soldiers and their widows residing within the municipal limits. This initiative will take effect from April 1^st, 2023.

Previously, former soldiers were entitled to an 8% tax exemption on property tax. However, starting April 1, 2023, all former soldiers will be granted a complete waiver of property taxes. The amount paid as property tax by former soldiers between April 1, 2023, and August 1, 2023, will be adjusted in their upcoming property tax bills.

To be eligible for this scheme, beneficiaries must meet specific criteria:

·      The former soldier must either be born in Maharashtra or have resided in the state for a minimum of 15 years. They should provide a domicile certificate issued by competent authorities as proof.

·      Applicants must obtain a certificate from the District Soldiers' Welfare Officer of their respective district, confirming their eligibility for tax exemption.

·      The beneficiary must hold the status of a 'Karamaafi' recipient in their respective district, and they should furnish the required declaration to the District Soldiers' Welfare Officer.

The benefits of this scheme will extend to the parents of unmarried martyred soldiers as long as they are alive.

For the purpose of this scheme, a 'former soldier' refers to a person who conforms to the provisions of the Central Civil Services (Fixation of Pay of Re-Employed Pensioners) Orders, 2012.