Collector rate hike sparks political storm
The recent collector rate hike across Haryana has triggered political uproar, with the Opposition launching a scathing attack on the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government ahead of the monsoon session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on August 22.
The revision — implemented just nine months after the last hike in December — has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition leaders, who are gearing up to raise the issue in the House.
Calling the hike “unprecedented”, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said: “The collector rate has been increased by 10 to 145%, about two and a half times the previous rate. Let the government justify the hike in the House.”
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged the hike would add a Rs 5,000 crore burden annually, “shattering the dream of homeownership for many.”
INLD national president Abhay Singh Chautala also joined the chorus, accusing the government of repeatedly “burdening the common man,” and noted this was the third rate hike after four power tariff increases.
“Our MLAs will raise this issue in the Assembly and take up the cause of the common man,” he added.
On the defensive, the state government has justified the hike as “data-driven and transparent.”
A government spokesperson said: “The revision is based on an analysis of property registrations where transaction values exceeded prevailing collector rates. In 72.01% of the 2,46,812 segments, a 10% increase was made where the market price exceeded collector rates by 0-35%.”
Higher hikes, though capped, were implemented where the gap was more significant.
Chief Minister’s media adviser Parveen Attrey defended the move, saying, “The government’s goals are to promote transparent property transactions, curb black money and align values with market trends. Even now, revised collector rates remain below actual market values in most areas.”
The Saini government, recently lauded for the flawless execution of the Common Eligibility Test (CET) and for providing free travel and stay to candidates, is now facing mounting public and political pressure over the August 1 implementation of the revised rates.
Haryana Tribune