Andhra Pradesh

Heavy tax burden

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) issued demand notices to the residents of Potinamallayyapalem APHB Colony and other villages, recently merged in the GVMC, to pay taxes. The taxes are three times more than that charged by the panchayats. And there has been no uniformity in the demand to the MIG-I and II and HIG houses, as all of them bear the same measurements. Developed houses are asked to pay less, and the undeveloped houses are demanded to pay more.

The plinth area shown in each category of houses differs from house to house for reasons better known to GVMC.

Though it was said before merger that taxes would not be hiked unless the areas are developed with roads, drains, 24-hour water supply, etc., the promises has not been kept and heavy taxes are imposed without providing the basic facilities.

Local corporator should take up the issue and ensure that the taxes are less and uniform.

M. Subba Rao

Visakhapatnam

Visakha Dairy, a corporate entity, has increased the price of milk by Re.1 per half litre from August 1 this year. It is for the third time in one year that the prices are increased, which is a burden on middle and lower middle class people. The arbitrary hike is uncalled for, particularly when Vijaya Dairy of Vijayawada has withdrawn the hike in price announced earlier this month. I request the authorities concerned to withdraw the price hike for the sake of common man.

M. Balakrishna Moorthy

Visakhapatnam

I underwent kidney transplant in 2001. My maternal uncle donated the kidney. As for the other members of he family, my two brothers and a sister are kidney patients. The disease runs in our family being genetic and it is called ‘polycystic kidney disease’.

Since there are no suitable donors in our family, there is no other alternative except to seek the help of the near and dear ones or to go for a kidney from a willing donor outside on financial considerations. It may be against the law, but I fail to understand what other alternative we have in these circumstances. Just as blood donation is encouraged, donation of live kidneys should be popularised and to that extent, the media should help to amend the law.

M. Srinivas Prasad

Visakhapatnam

It is sad to note that many children are falling to death in borewells not only in our State but elsewhere in the country including Gujarat and Rajasthan. The death of innocent children is due to negligent attitude of officials, landowners and contractors concerned.

Officials who sanction the borewells under the rural water supply scheme or WALTA (Water, Land and Tree Administration) Act should be made responsible for such tragedies in the future. If necessary, the Central Government should enact a fresh law for the entire country and stringent punishments should be provided.

It is also better to provide one provision to see that the defunct borewells are covered immediately. K. Satyanarayana

Visakhapatnam

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