The Ghaziabad Development Authority has hiked the development cess by 10 per cent from April 1. The actual burden of the increased tax will, however, have to be borne by the common people.

Property prices in Ghaziabad have lately gone sky-high and added to the increased prices will be this hiked development cess imposed by GDA. This will directly disturb the apple cart of middle-class people who will have to shell out more money to purchase flats made by big builders and group housing societies.

The builders, who procure land from farmers in Hindon area, will have to pay Rs 1,678.42 per sq mt and interim development charges Rs 1,118.95 as cess. In Hindon area of Sahibabad, people will have to pay Rs 1,770.60 and interim development Rs 1,200.41 per sq. mt. This amount is 10 per cent higher than the levy payable last year. It will dampen the spirits of those middle and lower middle class people who hope to buy low cost houses.

The builders and group housing developers will have to pay higher tax for development work in the land acquired. The GDA will sanction the layouts and plan only after payment of full taxes by the builders and group housing societies.