UP: Indira Gandhi's childhood home gets Rs 4.35 cr tax notice

The iconic Anand Bhawan in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was born, has been served a notice of Rs. 4.35 crore as house tax by the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC). The tax has been imposed under the non-residential category and has not been paid since 2013, according to an official. Similarly, the tax has also been levied on Swaraj Bhawan and Jawahar Planetarium in Prayagraj.

Anand Bhawan has been home to the Gandhi family and is run by Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust headed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. PK Mishra, chief tax assessment officer, Prayagraj Municipal Corporation, said that the notice has been served under provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act and Property Tax rules.

Speaking to the media Mishra said, "We conducted a survey to decide the amount of tax. We also invited objection on the assessment but received none. Then, we finalised our assessment and sent the notice."

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Former PMC mayor Chaudhary Jitendra Nath Singh said that tax cannot be imposed on Anand Bhawan is Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust is exempted from all types of taxes.

"The imposition of tax on Anand Bhawan is wrong. The building comes under Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust which is exempted from taxes. This is a monument of the Independence struggle and a museum of memorabilia. This is a center of education," he said.

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Abhya Awasthi, a resident of the city, alleged that the tax has been imposed as part of political vendetta by the BJP government.

"Anand Bhawan is a temple of freedom struggle. The imposition of the tax is in line with BJP's agenda for Congress-free India and the Nehru-free world. This has been done on the instruction of the government," he said.

About Anand Bhawan

Anand Bhawan and Swaraj Bhawan have been home to the Nehru family. The Swaraj Bhawan now serves as a museum of memorabilia related to the Nehru family while Anand Bhawan is also a museum, showcasing various artifacts and articles of the era of the Independence movement in India.

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(With ANI inputs)