In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has permanently abolished the non-agricultural (NA) tax levied on housing societies, industrial, and commercial properties in urban areas. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, aimed at reducing the financial burden on property owners across the state.
The NA tax, which is imposed on agricultural land when used for non-agricultural purposes, will no longer apply to lands where residential buildings, high-rise apartments, and commercial and industrial units are being constructed. The abolition extends to all properties except those situated in Gaothan areas, which were already exempt under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code of 1960.
This policy change follows numerous appeals from the Maharashtra State Housing Federation, which had advocated for the removal of the NA tax on housing societies and plotted developments. The tax was previously revised every five to ten years, and housing societies in suburban Mumbai had already received temporary relief from it under the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2022.
By scrapping the NA tax, the state government seeks to promote urban development and ease the financial load on residents and businesses.
In a separate decision, the Cabinet also approved stricter penalties for damaging ancient and historical buildings, with a new provision for up to two years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. This update is in response to rising concerns about the preservation of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.
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