The Hindu 25.11.2010
Delay in property tax verification likely
Chitra V. Ramani
| Civic body has managed only 40 per cent of the target it set itself |
Door-to-door verification process of property tax and validation of GIS data began in October
BBMP has collected Rs. 850 crore property tax this year, compared to Rs. 797 crore last year
Bangalore: With the November-end deadline to complete verification of property tax details of an estimated 15 lakh properties in the city fast approaching, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials appear to be lagging way behind.
For, they have been able to verify details of barely six lakh properties in the city.
The door-to-door verification of property tax began in October along with the validation of the GIS data.
Deadline extension?
D.L. Chandrashekar, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), told The Hindu the BBMP staff involved in the verification process has been able to cover only around 40 per cent of the properties. The officials have been able to cover around 65 per cent of the properties for the validation of GIS data.
“We may consider extending the last day by another 15 days,” he said.
The BBMP managed to collect around Rs. 850 crore from 10.5 lakh property owners as against the target of Rs. 1,200 crore this fiscal. Last year, the civic authority collected Rs. 797 crore from around 10 lakh property owners.
The last date to pay the first instalment ended on August 30, while the last date to pay the second instalment is November 30.
Property owners who have not paid the first instalment will have to pay two per cent penalty per month delay.
To ensure that more revenue comes into the BBMP’s coffers through property tax, special teams comprising tax collector, tax inspector, evaluator, assistant engineer, junior engineer and assistant health inspector were formed at the ward level. The team has to cover at least 50 properties a day.
Observers, either the Revenue Officer, Assistant Revenue Officer, Assistant Executive Engineer, Health Inspector, Horticulture Superintendent or Veterinary Inspector, must monitor the verification and send a report daily to the Commissioner.
