Aizawl, Feb. 12: The Congress has accused the Mizo National Front of collecting land and building revenue illegally, disregarding all rules.

At a news conference called at his residence yesterday by PCC president Lalthanhawla, who is also the leader of the Opposition, said rules framed for collecting taxes under the Mizoram Revenue (Land, Buildings and Assessment) Act, 2002, were totally disregarded.

?According to this act, there are certain forms to be filled up by land and building owners through which a communication between landlords and the revenue and land settlement department is to be established in order to assess the amount of tax that needs to be paid. However, in its haste to collect revenue, the state government turned a blind eye to the rules and simply started its collection of taxes. This is totally illegal,? Lalthanhawla said.

Criticising the quantum jump in land revenue, Lalthanhawla said this was the reason why the poor become ?bonded slaves? of the rich and the affluent. He said the high revenue taxes that the state government imposed resulted in the inability of many people to get their Land Settlement Certificates released from the Revenue & Land Settlement offices.

Arrest demanded: The Mizoram Congress has demanded the arrest of land revenue minister B. Lalthlengliana after the minister publicly announced that a pamphlet, which was the bone of contention, was indeed printed by his department.

A bound 8-page pamphlet issued by the directorate of land revenue and settlement had exhorted the people to pay their taxes without complaints. Another paragraph said: ?Those who are against payment of taxes are the same people who had taught us it was a disgrace to be beggars?.