Mon May 26 15:36:22 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The CPI(M) in Andhra Pradesh is protesting a significant increase in house taxes imposed by the NDA government in urban areas of the state. The party claims the government is implementing a 35% tax hike, amounting to ₹784 crore, through a combination of new surveys and pre-existing policy changes. The CPI(M) accuses the government of breaking its election promises and demands a review of the tax policy, threatening statewide protests if the issue isn’t addressed.

**News Article:**

**CPI(M) Condemns Andhra Pradesh House Tax Hike, Threatens Protests**

*Vijayawada, May 26, 2025* – The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has strongly criticized the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Andhra Pradesh for imposing a significant increase in house taxes across the state’s urban areas. The party alleges that the tax hikes, implemented through new surveys and existing property valuation policies, will burden residents with an additional ₹784 crore.

Speaking at a press conference in Vijayawada, CPI(M) State secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao stated that the municipal authorities are conducting surveys across 123 towns and cities, covering over 40 lakh households and buildings, with the aim of raising house taxes by 20%. He also noted that a 15% increase, already in effect since April, adds another ₹320 crore to the burden.

“The government has given strict directives to increase house tax by 35%, which is ₹784 crore, this year,” Mr. Babu Rao asserted. “It wouldn’t be surprising if this tax hike reaches ₹1,500 crore,” he added.

The CPI(M) criticized the NDA government for reneging on its election promises, claiming that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its allies pledged to review the existing property value-based tax system during the election campaign. The previous YSRCP government introduced the current tax system via G.O. 19, shifting from rent-based assessment to property value-based taxation. While the government had claimed tax hikes would be limited to 15% per year, the CPI(M) contends that house taxes have already risen by 80% in the past five years.

Mr. Babu Rao highlighted the impact on major cities, stating that house taxes in Vijayawada will increase by ₹40 crore and in Visakhapatnam by ₹112 crore. The party called on TDP leaders to address the issue during the upcoming Mahanadu in Kadapa.

“The alliance government has broken its promise and betrayed public trust. Without even informing the people, the government increased house taxes by 15% from April and started collecting the dues without seeking public objections,” said Mr. Babu Rao.

The CPI(M) has threatened to mobilize civil and people’s organizations across Andhra Pradesh to launch protests if the government fails to revoke the tax increases and address the grievances of the public. The party has vowed to hold the government accountable for its actions.

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