The Hindu 26.05.2010
VMC finds going tough
Staff reporter
VIJAYAWADA: The collection of property tax dues from State government and State government undertaking offices located in the city seems to have become a Herculean task for Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC).
There are about 35 State government offices, including five State government undertaking offices in the city. The corporation has to collect Rs. 29 crores, including Rs. 20 crores from various Central Government offices.
The revenue wing of the corporation has begun compiling the list of non-payers in the city. The total outstanding dues would be nearly Rs. 10 crores. Of this, Rs. 9 crores alone would be from State government departments, institutions and offices, while rest would be from State government undertakings like agricultural, MFS department and state excise, sources say.
While organisations like sub jails are stated to be paying the property tax promptly, the departments like police have to pay more than Rs.1 crore till date. The government Ayurvedic College has to pay more than Rs. 1.5 crore, while ITI College has to pay Rs. 60 lakhs. Likewise, the dues from the Government Polytechnic College are estimated to be more than Rs. 1.5 crore. The Music College, RTA, Social Welfare Department, Zilla Parishad, Roads and Buildings are some of the departments, which have to pay the tax, sources say.
The VGTM UDA has to pay nearly Rs. 50 lakhs, while the property tax to be paid by the city civil courts buildings is to the tune of Rs. 2.3 crores. The Irrigation Department is due to pay Rs. 39 lakhs. It, however, recently dashed off a letter saying the corporation has to pay user charges for drawing water from the Krishna, sources say.
