Can we Claim it in existing legal framework ? The property tax is a kind of impost / tax levied by Local bodies / Municipalities, upon lands and buildings, situate in their territorial jurisdiction. Due to the peculiar nature of tax, the property tax are regarded as “rate”, and not as “tax” or “fee”. The Apex Court in a case before it (AIR 1963 SC 1742), had the occasion to distinguish the rate from tax or fee, wherein it was stated that rate is an hybrid of tax and fee, as it has the elements of both, and is more in the nature of compensation paid for the services availed, although not directly attributable to the measurable benefits of the services availed. The first elementary principle which governs any Municipal taxation is – the Tax levied by Municipal Corporation / Local bodies are compensatory in nature. Municipalities levy taxes under respective State legislations. In area of Municipal taxation, the State Govts do not enjoy the same freedom and latitude as otherwise bein...