Chunkakunnu: A house owner has been put in quandary after cess was imposed on his house that was built over 51 years ago. The Labour Department has sent a notice to Thomas asking him to pay an amount of Rs 41,264 as cess.

In response, Thomas has sent a letter to the district Assistant Labour Officer stating that he is not liable to pay the amount as per the welfare cess act and demanding the notice be withdrawn. The house was built in 1980-81. When the house developed leaks, a new roofing sheet was placed, termite-infested beds and window frames were replaced and a car porch built. The letter also clarified that no other renovation work was carried out. 

The notice sent by the labour department estimates that the construction cost of the building will be Rs 41,26,410. Thus, the owner has been instructed to pay a percentage of this, Rs 41,264 as cess. But Thomas argues that the sheeting cost Rs 20,000. 

As per the Welfare Cess Act, all houses that were built after 1996 need to pay an amount as cess. The cess is determined on the basis of the information received from the Taluk office and labour department officials said that cess will be waived if the age certificate is issued by the concerned local body.