The FONRWA has called the move 'unjustifiable' and demanded the withdrawal of the cess besides returning the amount paid by a few owners.
Calling it unjustifiable, the Federation of Noida Residents' Welfare Association (FONRWA) has issued a legal notice to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh for imposing labour cess on those residents who are currently owning a house in the city.
The notice, which was by a hired advocate, supported the statement made by the FONRWA saying that the property must have got transferred several times over the years. In such a scenario, it is not possible for the current owner of the house/flat to trace the record of the cost incurred for payment of wages to labourers, who worked for the construction of the building. Considering this, it is not justifiable to levy the labour cess after a period of over 20 years (two decades).
Further, it cited there are many owners, who have awarded contracts to private parties for construction of their buildings. It is again not possible for these owners to calculate the costs, which were incurred for payment to the labourers during the building was being constructed. The hired contractor had also not shared a bifurcated account of expenditure borne by them for getting their buildings constructed.
The federation has sent a copy of the notice to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Department of Labour, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida Authority, demanding that the labour cess should be withdrawn. Besides, it said that the department concerned should issue a notice declaring that it has rolled back the earlier notice under which owners of the building were told to clear due labour cess for the year 2009.
The FONRWA further demanded the amount deposited by a few owners as labour cess should be paid back.
The federation concluded saying that it will move the court or forum against the government if their above-mentioned demands are not met.
