Taj Mahal gets property and water tax notices

21 Dec 2022 CW Team

In a first for the protected monument, the local council in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, has requested that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) pay 0.147million in house tax and 19.7million in water tax on the Taj Mahal.

The ASI has been given 15 days to pay the debts, failing which the property would be "attached," according to a story in the Deccan Herald.

The invoices are for the fiscal years 2021鈥�2022 and 2022鈥�2023, according to the notice from Agra Nagar Nigam (Agra Municipal Corporation).

Since monuments are exempt from housing and water taxes, ASI officials claimed the notice may have been sent inadvertently. According to ASI, the Taj Mahal was designated a protected monument in 1920, and no taxes were paid on it even when India was ruled by the British.

Raj Kumar Patel, the ASI's supervising archaeologist, said: "On monuments, property tax is not applicable. Since there is no commercial usage for water, we are also exempt from paying water taxes. The grounds' vegetation is kept alive by the usage of water. The first water and property tax notices for the Taj Mahal have been received. It might have been transmitted inadvertently.

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jun 2025

Dassault To Build Falcon Jets In India With Reliance

Reliance Infrastructure Ltd鈥檚 subsidiary, Reliance Aerostructure, has signed an agreement with France鈥檚 Dassault Aviation to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets in India, with the first batch expected to roll out from its Nagpur facility by 2028. This marks the first time a Falcon aircraft will be entirely built outside France.The announcement sent Reliance Infrastructure shares surging, hitting the 5 per cent upper circuit on the BSE. Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group, hailed the agreement as a 鈥渟ymbol of India鈥檚 technological and manufacturing strength鈥�, adding that it aims..

Infrastructure Urban

20 Jun 2025

INDEA Lays Foundation for India鈥檚 First Auto Design School

The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), the country鈥檚 first institute focused solely on automobile design and management, held its foundation stone ceremony at XLRI Delhi-NCR. The event was graced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who virtually unveiled the stone as Chief Guest.INDEA aims to become a premier talent hub, driving innovation in the Indian automotive sector. The school will focus on advanced design, mobility solutions, and sustainable practices, playing a vital role in shaping India鈥檚 transition from a cost-driven to a quality-led a..

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jun 2025

Karnataka Launches Global Innovation Hub at Airport City

The Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL) and ANSR, has launched a global innovation hub named District I at Bengaluru Airport City's business park. The initiative aims to elevate India鈥檚 innovation ecosystem to a global scale by fostering collaboration among startups, academia, enterprises, and government bodies.District I will serve as a platform for deep-tech entrepreneurship, enterprise innovation, and commercialisation of academic research. It brings together Global Capability Centres (GCCs), IT firms, corporate labs, startups, venture capi..