Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Taxation

Metrowater tax collection sees a surge

Print PDF

The Hindu     13.07.2016 

Metrowater tax collection sees a surge

Chennai Metrowater has collected taxes and charges of Rs. 92.77 crore during the first quarter of this fiscal.

This is nearly 24 per cent more than the amount collected during the same period last year.

While Metrowater is continuing its vigorous collection drive, residents of some added areas, however, raised concern about the quantum of tax and charges collected.

Numbers up

The amount collected is nearly Rs. 17.70 crore more than the Rs. 75.07 crore collected last year during the same months.

Some residents in Officers Colony, Anna Nagar Western Extension complained that the collection centre in Metrowater depot-89 office often remained closed either because of lack of manpower or internet connectivity problems.

V. Padma, a resident, said she had to travel a few kilometres to the Ambattur zone office to pay her water and property tax.

Residents of Ambattur said they delayed applying for new connections fearing higher taxes and connection charges.

S. Raghuraman, a resident, said fresh assessment order provided by Chennai Corporation is being sought for new connections. This has added to the confusion of residents about getting connections.

Tax arrears

In Mogappair West too, residents were concerned about payment of tax arrears.

S. Swaminathan, secretary, JAMBA United Welfare Association (a federation of residents’ welfare associations of the locality), said though the work for a comprehensive drainage network is pending, people are asked to pay water and sewerage tax.

“Instead of insisting on paying tax for previous years, the water agency must seek water tax from the time connections are provided,” he said.

However, sources in Metrowater said water and sewerage tax are being collected in the added areas based on the property tax collected by the Greater Chennai Corporation.

While there may not be changes in the connection charges, water and sewerage tax will be levied according to the property tax levied. Moreover, arrears are also collected based on the period of property tax assessment.

The amount collected is nearly 24 per cent more than what was collected in the same period last year

 

‘Govt. move on town panchayats will not impact property tax rates’

Print PDF

The Hindu       28.11.2014  

‘Govt. move on town panchayats will not impact property tax rates’

With the State government revising upwards the classification of 528 town panchayats on the basis of average annual income after 21 years, officials say the move will not have any impact on property tax rates.

The officials say the new classification will only lead to an increase in the size of the operations of the local bodies and better amenities to residents. The need for a higher level of supervision will be recognised, creating the scope for stepping up the strength of manpower.

Notification

As per a notification issued by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department last week, the ceiling of average annual income had been changed from Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh for grade-II town panchayats; Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 1 crore for grade-I and Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 2 crore for selection grade. In the case of annual income exceeding Rs. 2 crore (previously Rs. 20 lakh), such town panchayats would be assigned special grade.

The break-up of town panchayats as per the revised classification is: special grade-78; selection grade-275; grade I-166 and grade II-nine.

The review of town panchayats would be made once in five years.

 

City to get 161 tax payment centres

Print PDF

The Hindu        13.11.2014 

City to get 161 tax payment centres

Come December 1, a total of 161 integrated centres where residents can pay both property and water taxes will come up across the city.

These centres will come up in existing division offices of the Corporation and depot offices of Metrowater.

Tie-up with bank

The facility is the result of an agreement between the two civic agencies and ING Vysya Bank, and is aimed at making the process easy for citizens.

ING Vysya Bank will sponsor manpower at the centres, which will remain open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Payment of property tax can be made by cheque or DD.

Receipts on the spot

Officials said receipts for the payment would be provided at the centres itself.

The existing system of property tax collection has various modes of payment, including facilitation counters in the city’s 15 zones and at Ripon Buildings, walk-in counters at 400 bank branches, door-to-door collection by tax collectors and online payment.

With a target of Rs. 600 crore, the civic body may exceed its property tax collection target this year.

Councillor S.M.K. Mohammad Ali Jinnah said the new centres would help residents in areas that are not near zonal offices.

The Corporation’s online system of property tax collection has been disrupted a number of times because of problems in its electronic data processing cell.

Residents will be able to pay both water and property taxes at the integrated centres that will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 


Page 6 of 62