Three kutcha houses were reduced to ashes in a fire in the trans-Yamuna area of Karchhana on Monday morning. An electric short circuit is stated to be the reason behind this fire. Household goods and thousands of rupees went up in smoke.

In Pura Tikura village of Hathsara gram panchayat smoke started emanating from the kutcha house of Nanku Ram who was sleeping there with family. Suddenly he saw the flames, ran out and raised an alarm following which villagers gathered there and tried to douse the fire.

The fire brigade was also called but by then the flames had engulfed two houses of neighbours Ram Bhajan Patel and Bachchu Ram.

When the owners entered the house after the fire was doused, they found that all their belongings, clothes, foodgrains, and even cash had gone up in smoke.

self-assessment of house tax: Mayor Ganesh Kesarwani claimed the Prayagraj Nagar Nigam (PNN) has become the first of its kind by implementing self-assessment of house tax by the house owner. Tax evaluation based on Geographic Information System (GIS) survey has been rejected by the Nagar Nigam House. House tax had been raised manifold on the recommendation of the GIS survey and the house owners besides  elected corporators had        been opposing the same vehemently. In protest the house owners had refused to pay house tax.

Keeping in mind the Mahakumbh-2025, the Nagar Nigam decided to go on the backfoot to collect funds. At the Nagar Nigam House sitting on Sunday a proposal was floated for cancellation of tax evaluation on the basis of GIS survey which was not being accepted by house owners. To generate tax revenue, the house resolved to introduce self- assessment scheme.

Under self-assessment of house tax, the house owner will have to submit an affidavit that information provided by him/her is true. In case information is found to be false, provisions of heavy fine have been added to this resolution. Those who have already paid house tax as per the GIS survey assessment will be given an opportunity to register protest and claim the difference.

House tax of over 93,000 houses had been raised manifold after the GIS survey.       Over 10,000 had lodged        written protest. Elected     corporators were also opposed to GIS survey-based tax assessment.

The house adopted this self-assessment scheme w.e.f 2022-23. If implemented properly, this self-assessment scheme will minimise the role of tax inspectors.