Kolkata: A fresh political and administrative controversy has surfaced over the family residence of Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee after the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) Assessor-Collector (South) office issued a notice regarding the property at 188A, Harish Mukherjee Road.
According to KMC records, the premises in question were initially purchased in the name of M/s Animesh Tradelink Private Limited, which was later renamed ‘Leaps and Bounds Infra Consultants Private Limited’.
It has been alleged that although the old structure was demolished and a new building named ‘Santiniketan’ was constructed on the premises, the property continued to be assessed as ‘owner-occupied’.
Accordingly, the property tax for the house is currently being paid by ‘Leaps and Bounds Infra Consultants Private Limited’, while members of Abhishek Banerjee’s family reside there.
However, the KMC claimed that its inquiry revealed that the property was not being used by the actual registered owner, but by other occupants residing there. Hence, the civic body has sought submission of agreements between the concerned parties, transaction-related documents and details regarding possession for the purpose of reassessment of the property.
The notice, dated Tuesday, May 19, and signed by Assessor-Collector (South) Arup Mondal, stated that all relevant documents should be submitted within seven days from the date of issuance of the letter.
The notice has been sent to the director of Leaps and Bounds Infra Consultants Private Limited.
Following the notice becoming public, political reactions have intensified. The BJP has alleged irregularities in property tax assessment and concealment of the actual usage of the property. However, no official response has so far been issued by the Trinamool Congress leadership.
According to a section of the municipal administration, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is currently examining the tax assessment and usage details of several properties across the city. It has been claimed that the notice was issued as part of that process.
(IANS)
