Thirty years after the death of the doyen of Hindi poetry Mahadevi Verma, the Allahabad Nagar Nigam (ANN) has issued a notice to her for attachment of property due to non-payment of house tax.
The ANN has even summoned Mahadevi Verma (March 26, 1907 – September 11, 1987) asking her to visit the nagar nigam office within 15 days failing which proceeding for the attachment of her property would be initiated.
According to ANN officials, notice for the recovery of outstanding amount of Rs 48,000 towards house tax was issued in November last year.
However, no action has been taken by ANN after the passage of 15-day deadline.
“ANN notice to the great poetess is indeed shameful. This shows the insensitivity of nagar nigam towards great personalities.” -Poet and litterateur Yash Malaviya
The renowned litterateur took her last breath at her residence, 327/114 Nevada Ashok Nagar, Allahabad, in 1987.
Verma’s residence was later converted into a trust – Sahitya Sahkar Nyas – where litterateurs visit to pay homage to her.
Brajesh Pandey, who is the convener of the trust, lives in the house.
“The trust has shortage of funds as it has no source of income. The ANN should exempt the residence of Mahadevi Verma from house tax. This will be the real tribute to her,” Pandey added.
In its notice, ANN has added Rs 16,622 as interest on pending house tax of Rs 28,172 due since 1987. The authorities have also added Rs 3,234 and Rs 25 as fine in the total amount.
According to the notice, the amount was being charged under the state government guidelines approved for the financial year 2017-18.
The notice also suggests that the total amount would be amended if some payment had already been paid against the house tax.
Chief tax officer, ANN, PK Mishra said the nagar nigam had no information about the conversion of Verma’s residence into a trust.
“No objection has been registered with the ANN in this connection. The civic body has issued notices to all those people whose outstanding house tax has crossed Rs 5,000,” he said.
Mayor Abhilasha Gupta and municipal commissioner Harikesh Chaurasia could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
Additional municipal commissioner Ritu Suhas said the ANN had respect for the poetess and assured that she would make efforts to resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, Congressmen staged a demonstration on the premises of ANN officer on Tuesday and demanded withdrawal of the notice.