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.
