LUCKNOW, Jan. 28 -- Booking Kalyan Mandaps, community centres and sports facilities in Lucknow is set to become significantly costlier after the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) House approved a 40% hike in rent for all such properties. The revised rates will also apply to sports grounds and parks, directly affecting residents who use these venues for social, cultural and sporting events. Corporators said the increase was aimed at generating additional revenue for the civic body and ensuring proper maintenance, renovations and improved facilities at these public spaces, many of which have long faced neglect. In addition to revising rents, the LMC House cleared a series of financial and administrative proposals aimed at strengthening the corporation's revenue base. One of the major changes concerns mutation charges. The House approved new rates under the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (Amendment and Revision of Assessment List) Bylaws, 2025, replacing the earlier system that charged 1% of a property's registry value. Keeping the interests of economically weaker sections in mind, the transfer fee in inheritance cases has been fixed at Rs 1,000 for properties up to 1,000 square feet, while the maximum mutation fee for larger properties has been capped at Rs 5,000. Chief tax assessment officer Ashok Singh said the revised structure would make mutation fees more affordable and predictable for property owners. For registration-based property transfers, the House introduced a slab-based fee structure. Properties valued up to Rs 5 lakh will attract a minimum transfer fee of Rs 3,500, while those valued above Rs 50 lakh will be charged a maximum of Rs 10,000. Singh added that the bylaws would be published in the government gazette before coming into effect. The House also approved a major revision in licence fees for commercial establishments within LMC limits. Acting on recommendations from the municipal commissioner and a report by the chief tax assessment officer, corporators cleared revised rates for 11 categories, including nursing homes, maternity homes, private hospitals, pathology and diagnostic centres, Ayurvedic, Unani and homoeopathy clinics, hotels, guest houses, restaurants, refreshment houses, eateries and model shops. Under the new rates, licence fees for nursing homes, maternity homes and private hospitals with up to 50 beds have doubled from Rs 7,500 to Rs 15,000. Restaurants and eating houses will now pay Rs 10,000, up from Rs 2,000, while hotels and guest houses with more than 20 beds will see their fees rise from Rs 3,000 to Rs 15,000. The House also approved the imposition of licence fees on composite shops selling foreign liquor and beer under the new excise policy, citing legal backing under the UP Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, and the financial interest of the civic body....