Kannur: The Labour Department has issued a notice demanding a cess payment of Rs 41,264 for the renovation of a half-century-old house, which incurred a cost of Rs 20,000. Puthanapra Thomas, a farmer residing in the Kelakam Panchayat of Kannur, is the recipient of the notice.
Thomas’s residence, aged over 50 years, underwent renovation a decade ago due to roof leakage and termite damage, involving the replacement of damaged windows and roofing with sheets at a cost of Rs 20,000. In 2016, the Revenue Department levied Rs 6,000, estimating the floor area at 226.72 square meters. However, recent estimates revised the floor area to 316.2 square meters, with a total construction cost estimated at Rs 41.2 lakhs.
The Construction Workers Welfare Board issued the cess notice, asserting that work worth Rs 41,26,410 had been conducted, requiring a one percent payment of Rs 41,264 as Construction Workers Welfare Fund cess. The directive instructs Thomas to pay Rs 413 in cash as a service charge, and the remaining Rs 40,851 as a Demand Draft (DD) within 20 days of receiving the notice.
In response to the notice, Thomas has questioned the rationale behind paying a cess to the government that is twice the amount spent on renovating his aged house. He has written to the District Assistant Labour Officer, asserting that he is not liable to pay the amount under the Welfare Cess Act and requesting the withdrawal of the notice.
Labour Department officials argue that the cess can be waived if a certificate proving the age of the house is produced. They maintain that the cess is determined based on information received from the Taluk office.
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