Jaipur:
If you have a plot of over 200 sq m but not a single tree then chances are that you may have to pay an additional urban land tax of Rs. 5000 per year. On the other hand, if you are growing trees on your land, this may lead to deduction in tax in accordance with the number of trees you have.
The state government is all set to take a lead in bringing out a new legislation which will provide incentives to those actively involved in plantation, growth and preservation of trees.
The government has prepared draft of new Rajasthan Trees (plantation and protection) Bill 2010, which sources said would be first of its kind in terms of incentives and penalties with regard to plantation of trees in the municipal areas.
As per the provisions being introduced in the draft, every plot holder would be asked to grow one type of protected tree out of two given categories depending on the size of his plot.
As per the draft the liability to pay additional urban land tax for not planting and growing trees on existing plot holders shall be enforceable at the close of fifth year after the commencement on this proposed Act or after the expiry of a period of five years from the date of purchase of plot after such commencement, the draft mentioned.
Sources said the draft of the bill is being fine tuned by the department of local self government and will soon be put up before the cabinet before it is sent to the Assembly.
If the bill goes through, it will be for the first time that the punishment and penalty would be introduced for cutting or uprooting of trees in the urban areas. As per the provisions anyone found cutting or uprooting without permission could be sentenced for a term up to three months and a fine upto `25,000. Till now the provisions for punishment have been applicable only in the rural and forest areas, sources said. As per draft prepared, every plot holder would be asked to grow one type of protected tree depending up on the size of his plot.
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