The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has criticised the State Government over the recent hike in property taxes, alleging that the NDA coalition has imposed an additional burden of ₹400 crore on urban residents while failing to deliver on its electoral promises.
At a press conference on Sunday (April 12, 2026), CPI(M) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao and State Committee member D. Kasinath accused the government of “betraying public trust” by going back on its assurance that property taxes would not be increased.
Mr. Babu Rao said the coalition, which had promised to review the capital value-based property tax system and refrain from hikes, has instead continued the same policy introduced earlier. Property taxes have been increased again from April 1, placing a heavy financial burden on urban households, he said.
CPI(M) demands immediate rollback of property tax hike in urban areas
The capital value-based taxation system, introduced through amendments in 2020, has led to a steady rise in taxes, Mr. Babu Rao said. “From 2021-22 till now, property taxes in urban areas have increased by nearly 130%. The hikes began at 15% and have now reached 30%, and may touch 45% in the next two years,” he said. “The successive governments have been artificially inflating land values, which in turn leads to continuous increases in property taxes. There is no end to this cycle,” he added.
