MCC to levy motor vehicle cess along with property tax

Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has introduced an infrastructure (motor vehicles) cess in the city from the 2026-27 financial year. According to an MCC notification, residents will have to pay the motor vehicle cess along with their property tax.As per the notification, a cess of Rs 500 has been fixed for four-wheelers, Rs 200 for two-wheelers, and Rs 300 for three-wheelers. The cess will be collected based on the property identification number (PID) of properties falling within MCC limits.Officials said the proposal has been implemented in accordance with directions from the directorate of municipal administration.The MCC has also revised property tax for the new financial year, increasing it by 3%.According to officials, improper parking is a major challenge in several parts of the city. "Only a few property owners have dedicated parking facilities. This decision has been taken as per the rules," they said.Former mayor Shivakumar, a BJP functionary, criticised the decision, terming it a direct assault on the poor. "Even housemaids now use two-wheelers for work. One or two two-wheelers have become an integral part of every family. From gig workers to daily wage labourers, two-wheelers are a lifeline. Collecting tax on them is nothing but sucking the blood of the poor," he said.He also alleged that landlords may use the move as an excuse to increase rents and claimed that the decision reflects the MCC's financial distress.Shajil, an auto driver, said bringing autorickshaws under the tax net was anti-poor and urged the MCC to collect the cess only from four-wheelers.Welcoming the move, Roy Joseph, president of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat, said many people park their personal vehicles on public roads. "The MCC is right in collecting a yearly tax for this," he said.