Gujarat Exempts Soldiers, Martyrs' Widows From Panchayat Property Tax On One Home

(MENAFN- IANS) Gandhinagar, Sep 11 (IANS) Gujarat has amended its panchayat tax rules to provide a complete exemption from property tax on one residential house owned or occupied by serving defence personnel, former soldiers and widows of soldiers who died in service, the state government said on Friday.

The decision was taken under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and follows an amendment to the Gujarat Gram and Nagar Panchayats Taxes and Fees Rules, 1964.

The exemption will apply to one residential property belonging to an eligible beneficiary within the jurisdiction of a gram panchayat in the state. The provision covers serving defence personnel and their spouses, former soldiers and widows of martyred soldiers.

The exemption is intended to reduce the tax burden on their residential homes and provide direct financial relief to them and their families. The provision for widows of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice is also part of the amended rules.

The government said the measure was aimed at extending support to families of those who died while serving the nation. The decision was taken after the state government invited objections and suggestions on draft amendments.

The draft rules were published in the Extraordinary Gazette of the Gujarat Government in December 2025.

Following consideration of the objections and suggestions received, the government has now notified the final amendments.

The state government has notified the Gujarat Gram and Nagar Panchayats Taxes and Fees (Amendment) Rules, 2026 under the powers conferred by the Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993.

The amended rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

The government said the measure would provide financial relief to serving soldiers, veterans and widows of martyred soldiers by exempting their eligible residential houses from panchayat tax.

It described the decision as a gesture of respect and gratitude towards soldiers and their families.

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