Speaking to media persons here, Jena said, “The Chief Minister directed to put on hold the decision to collect holding tax by the BMC at increased rates as per the latest benchmark value till the matter is decided by the Orissa High Court.”
The Chief Minister also directed the civic body to collect the holding tax at the prevailing rate, he added.
The Chief Minister’s direction came following protests by all opposition parties and several social outfits.
The members of Odisha Congress headed by OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik today staged a dharna in front of the BMC office here demanding immediate withdrawal of steep hike in the holding tax.
Earlier on Friday, hundreds of BJP workers had taken out a rally in the State Capital protesting the steep hike in holding tax and demanded its revocation within a month.
A public interest litigation (PIL) has also been filed in the Orissa High Court against the steep hike in the holding tax by the BMC in the State Capital.
