The Hindu 21.01.2011
GVMC to launch drive on property tax
Corporation to issue ‘Red notices’ to defaulters and invoke penal provisions
Having been unable to garner at least half of the property tax for the
first half-year, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation now
will go all out to realise the much-needed revenue with the Mayor taking
an unequivocal stand of collecting the hiked tax.
Of the estimated Rs.70 crores for the first half year
from property tax after a hike has been effected, the corporation has so
far realised around Rs.30 crores.
“We followed a sort of go slow approach during the past
few days without pressing for the tax payment what with the
corporation’s special general body meeting on the tax issue. Insisting
on payment even as the meeting was scheduled for Wednesday would have
sent contradictory signals. Now that it is over we will go ahead with
our efforts to collect the tax,” said an official on Thursday.
Of the 3.3 lakh assessees, 1.3 lakh have so far paid the first half year’s tax netting the Rs.30 crores.
The dilemma over government taking some decision
favourable to tax payers has so far led to sluggish payments. The
general trend in the city has also been to pay in the last three months
of the financial year. The first half-year’s tax is generally paid with
interest. Sources say those paying the first instalment now have to pay
it with interest.
About 1.3 lakh demand notices for the second instalment
have been issued and the issue of the remaining notices has been going
on. However, of the 45,000 revision petitions filed, 17,000 are yet to
be disposed of.
Fresh demand notices will not be served to them.
The GVMC will now launch an intense campaign with the
Finance wing drafting the services of staff from Town Planning and
Public Health wings also. GVMC would issue ‘Red notices’ to defaulters
and invoke penal provisions like cutting off water supply if they do not
comply, say officials.
