MCG directs malls in Gurgaon to apply for trade licenses

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Sep 2, 2021

On September 1, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon announced that all malls in the area must apply for trade licenses and clear their outstanding property taxes, in a move expected to generate significant revenue for the civic body.

 
The MCG cited the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994 as reason for malls to apply for trade licenses and expects to generate around Rs 12 crore ($1.8 million) from the trade licences in the 2021-22 fiscal year, TNN reported. The ruling applies to all commercial properties in the municipal corporation limits according to the sections 331, 335A and 336 of the act, it said. 

On Wednesday, MCG joint commissioner Sumit Kumar held a meeting for representatives of all of the malls in zone-4 of the MCG. Kumar instructed the malls to obtain trade licenses and detailed a number of schemes designed to aid malls in their tax payments. 

The MCG has announced an exemption of 25% of property tax for the 2022 financial year if dues are paid by September 30, 2021. The MCG is also offering a 10% rebate for this year until September 30. Property tax records show that most commercial units operating in Gurgaon do not currently have a trade license. 
 
Many malls have struggled significantly due to lockdowns brought in to counter the coronavirus pandemic. Regulations in numerous states kept malls closed for longer than high streets and other shopping areas due to safety concerns and many are attempting to recover from the financial losses this caused.