The Indian Express 02.08.2013
Music bands to recover PMC dues from defaulters
four months of financial year 2013-14, the Pune Municipal Corporation
(PMC) will soon use the services of music bands to retrieve dues from
property owners.
“By the end of July, property tax collection had reached Rs 500
crore, while last year till July, it was just Rs 385 crore. The target
from property tax is Rs 750 crore and the civic administration will
cross the target,” said Deputy Municipal Commissioner Hemant Nikam.
PMC had given sufficient time to citizens to pay their dues and
avoid civic action. “Those who have failed to pay their dues will now be
compelled to pay tax through the innovative method of sounding musical
bands outside their property. The civic administration has appointed
four bands to recover tax from four zones. The bands will play music
outside the residence of property owners till the dues are paid,” he
added.
The record collection in the first four months was attributed to
the timely distribution of property tax bills and online availability of
the same. “The online tax payment facility of PMC has been receiving a
good response from citizens. Also, the decision to pay taxes at various
banks also helped citizens to pay the tax on time,” he further said.
