New Delhi: In three months, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has collected Rs 258 crore as property tax under its amnesty scheme.

Launched in the last week of November, the scheme gave defaulters a chance to pay dues without penalty or interest. Around Rs 170 crore was collected from defaulters where as Rs 88 crore came in from other sources, such as BSES, AAI and the education department of Delhi government.

With the upcoming polls in mind, the corporation has extended the scheme till March 31. The first deadline expired on February 28.

"Over 42,000 taxpayers cleared their arrears in the last three months. During 2015-16, only 16,485 taxpayers had taken advantage of the amnesty scheme, with the total mop-up at just Rs 56 crore. This year, the collection has gone up three times," said an official.

 

During FY17, SDMC issued 1,53,341 advisories, 2,10,585 notices, 520 notices for prosecution and attachment of 623 properties and 374 bank accounts against defaulters.

"Many government departments have also availed of benefits of the scheme and cleared outstanding dues by paying only the principal amount. The education department of Delhi government, for example, deposited Rs 47 crore," the official added.