Though mainstream leaders across the political spectrum oppose the imposition of property tax in Jammu & Kashmir and seek it’s immediate roll back, but many of them controlling the municipal bodies face an acid test as finally Mayors of the twin capital cities Srinagar and Jammu and Chairpersons of the municipal councils and committees have to take final call on the implementation of the property tax in Jammu & Kashmir. It is the right time for the political parties to convey a message to the Government that finally it is for the public representatives to implement any law or executive order even in the absence of a popular government in any state or union territory. Non cooperation from the Mayors of twin capital cities Srinagar and Jammu and Chairpersons of municipal councils and municipal committees would at least put on hold the implementation of the Government order on property tax till the formation of a popular government in Jammu & Kashmir. The Mayors of twin capital cities Srinagar and Jammu and Chairpersons of municipal councils and municipal committees can take cue from the decisions of several state governments who have refused to implement the citizenship amendment act (CAA) and controversial farm laws passed by the parliament. However finally the will of the political parties to side with the people and not the helmsmen controlling the Jammu & Kashmir Government would determine the future of the property tax in Jammu & Kashmir. The collapsing financial position of the people due to two successive lockdowns from August 5 ,2019 till December 2020 gives ample justification to Mayors of twin capital cities and Chairpersons of municipal councils and municipal committees to oppose the implementation of property tax till the formation of a popular government in Jammu & Kashmir. Any decision from the Mayors of twin capital cities and Chairpersons of municipal councils and municipal committees to implement the controversial property tax in Jammu & Kashmir will sent out a message that parties controlling these top civic bodies are collaborating with both the government of Jammu & Kashmir and as well as the incumbent central government in the implementation of controversial laws and executive orders on citizenship rights in Jammu & Kashmir . So the stands of the political parties on property tax taken by them in press statements won’t be believed unless and until their elected representatives in the twin municipal corporations of Srinagar and Jammu municipal corporations and municipal councils and committees don’t muster the courage to publicly annunce non cooperation in the implementation of the property tax the way several state governments refuse to implement the controversial citizenship amendment act (CAA) and the controversial farm laws.
