Council clears 1% fire cess on high-rise buildings

The Legislative Council on Thursday adopted the Karnataka Fire Force (Amendment) Bill, 2025, enabling the State government to levy a 1% fire cess on the property tax of newly constructed high-rise buildings.

Introducing the Bill, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the move is aimed at strengthening the efficiency of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. “This step was necessitated after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India wrote six letters over the last four years urging the State to implement such a cess,” he said.

The cess will apply only to buildings taller than 21 metres, and will not be levied on buildings owned by the State and Central governments, or other public authorities. Residential buildings taller than the specified height will also come under its ambit, though separate rules will govern schools and colleges, he said.

Impact on Bengaluru

Members, including some from the ruling Congress, argued that the cess would disproportionately impact residents of Bengaluru, where most of the State’s high-rises are located. They said citizens are already burdened by price rise and multiple taxes. They described the cess as a form of “tax assault” and urged the government to focus on modernising fire and emergency services.

Dismissing these concerns, the Home Minister said citizens were overburdened due to the high GST rates on commodities. Compared to global standards, India already has higher GST slabs ranging from 18% to 42%, and the Centre is now moving towards implementing a three-tier GST structure, he said.