The party also raises concerns over poor sanitation in slum and Dalit areas, and submits a memorandum to municipal officials
MEERUT — Workers of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Wednesday staged a protest at the municipal corporation office in the Uttar Pradesh city of Meerut, raising concerns over commercial tax on small industries and poor sanitation in slum and Dalit localities.
The protest took place inside the civic body premises, where members of the organisation demanded immediate intervention by the authorities. They later submitted a memorandum to officials, calling for urgent steps on both issues.
Speaking during the protest, Councillor Rizwan Ansari said that many families in slums, Dalit and minority areas depend on small-scale, home-based work for their livelihood.
“People are running small units from their homes — making slippers, pottery, wooden items, garments, embroidery, weaving and artificial jewellery. This is how they survive,” he said.
He pointed out that both central and state governments have schemes to support small industries. “Even weavers are getting electricity at flat rates, but the municipal corporation is charging commercial tax from these poor workers. This is putting extra burden on them,” Ansari added.
The organisation demanded that the tax be withdrawn, arguing that such measures go against efforts to support weaker sections engaged in micro industries.
Alongside the tax issue, protesters also raised serious concerns about sanitation in slum and Dalit areas. They alleged that cleaning work in drains is not being carried out properly and remains incomplete.
One protester said, “Garbage remains lying in many areas for days. It is not collected on time, and people are facing daily problems because of this.”
They warned that the situation could worsen during the monsoon season, leading to waterlogging and health risks if immediate action is not taken.
After the demonstration, a delegation from the organisation met Chief Tax Assessment Officer S K Gautam and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands.
In the memorandum, the organisation urged the municipal corporation to review the commercial tax imposed on small industries and to take concrete steps to improve sanitation in neglected localities.
Officials have not yet issued a detailed response, but sources said the concerns raised in the memorandum will be examined.
The protest highlights ongoing grievances among sections of the city’s working poor, particularly those relying on small-scale industries and living in underserved areas.
