Amend Buildings Act, government told

The Kerala Building Owners’ Welfare Association (KBOWA) has urged the state government to amend the Kerala Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act. The association leaders also demanded a concession in the tax rates.

At a press conference which was held here, KBOWA general secretary P S Vipin Palluruthy pointed out that 99 per cent of the rental agreements are  going unregistered, owing to the high tax rate.

“Presently, the tax for registering a rent agreement is 12.5 per cent and should be brought down to 2.5 per cent. It may be recalled that the number of buildings in the state comes to around 4.5 lakh. If the tax rate is reduced, it would contribute `800 crore  to the state exchequer,” he pointed out. He said that the government and the local bodies should stop increasing the tax rates without providing the infrastructure.

“The provision that the building owner should pay for the illumination arranged by the shop owner should also be withdrawn,” Vipin said.

Aimed at bringing the hardships of the building owners to the notice of the government, a state-level meeting of the association is scheduled to be held at Thiruvananthapuram on November 27 which will be inaugurated  by Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty.

“Around 600 people are expected to take part in the conference,” the KBWOA office-bearers said.