Shimla MC orders power, water cut at ISBT Tutikandi

Taking stern action against the Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT) Tutikandi management for the non-payment of Rs 6.33 crore property tax, the Municipal Corporation (MC), Shimla, has decided to cut the electricity and water supply connections of the bus stand.

The MC has issued a notice to the ISBT authority for the same. As per the corporation, the ISBT management has to pay a sum of Rs 6,33,31,840 as property tax.

Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Shimla, Surender Chauhan, said the ISBT management authority had to pay this tax, but due to its non-payment, notice had been issued to it, following which the MC was going to cut off the water and electricity connections.

He said besides being property tax defaulter, the ISBT authority is illegally running hotels, shops and hospital on the premises which was not legal. He said action was also being taken against it in this matter.

In July, the MC had issued a final notice to the ISBT management under Section 121 of HPMC Act 1994 in which the corporation had directed the ISBT management to pay the outstanding property tax by August 31. However, the ISBT management had requested for additional time to pay the pending amount. Despite being granted additional time and being issued various notices several times, the ISBT management has not paid the pending amount. Meanwhile, the ISBT management had approached the court in response to the notice.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 80 crore, the bus stand was inaugurated by then CM Prem Kumar Dhumal in 2011.