The Hindu      02.03.2017  

Amnesty scheme boosts SDMC property tax coffers

Collection in south Delhi went up nearly three times

Property tax collection in south Delhi went up by about three times after an amnesty scheme was introduced for defaulters in November 2016.

According to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Rs. 169.68 crore was collected from 42,276 taxpayers from November 18, when the amnesty scheme came into effect, till February 28.

Late charges

In the same time frame in 2015-2016, the SDMC earned Rs. 56.59 crore from 16,845 taxpayers. The amnesty scheme, which waives late charges on property tax dues, has been extended till March 31.

Government agencies

In addition to an increase in collection from private property-owners, the SDMC collected Rs. 88 crore from government agencies — Rs. 47 crore from the Delhi Government’s Education Department, Rs. 15 crore from the BSES and Rs. 26 crore from the Indira Gandhi International Airport here.

The SDMC said in a statement on Wednesday that other government departments and agencies, including the police, paramilitary forces and hotels, would be coming forward to pay their pending property tax before the scheme ends.

In 2015-2016, the civic body had cracked down on property tax evaders, conducting surveys and mapping to identify the defaulters.

The SDMC had issued 1.53 lakh advisories, 2.10 lakh notices and 520 notices for prosecution, and attached 623 properties and 374 bank accounts.