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Debt-ridden Jaipur Development Authority auctions land, nets a paltry Rs 13 crore

Tuesday, 04 February 2014 11:16 administrator
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The Times of India            04.02.2014

Debt-ridden Jaipur Development Authority auctions land, nets a paltry Rs 13 crore

JAIPUR: The cash strapped Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) managed to get a slight relief after it auctioned a plot at Manoharpura for Rs 13.41 crore on Monday. This may be a drop in the ocean for the troubled JDA, but it is certainly is a silver lining.

According to JDA officials, the plot (3,510 sq mt) was sold to at Rs 3820 per sq mt.

In a desperate attempt to earn more, the (JDA) will soon also be auctioning more land. Director (finance), Rakesh Sharma, said "We have drawn an action plan to earn more and are identifying prime slots. Other than this, we will also take on erring plot owners who have not yet deposited their lease money."

Sources in the department said, due to lackadaisical approach of JDA officials, things have come to this stage. "It was decided to generate Rs 150 crore from land that it auctioned but purchasers moved courts with certain grievances. Directions to identify the properties, from which revenue can be earned was presented, however, these moves failed to evoke results, except for a few deals."

It may be mentioned that the JDA, Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) are struggling to pay debt of nearly Rs 1,400 crore with little finances in their coffers. JDA took a loan to pay salaries of its employees last month. It has to pay a debt of Rs 400 crore while it has only Rs 14 crore in coffers.

Shikhar Agarwal to take over as new JDC today

IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal will be taking over as the new JDC. This was decided on Monday. He will assume office on Tuesday. Agarwal was on deputation in New Delhi and held the post of director general (employment and training), Ministry of Labour and Employment. Agarawal is a 1993 batch officer. Till Monday, the Urban Development and Housing principal secretary was holding additional charge of JDC. Before leaving for Delhi on deputation in 2009, he served as member, board of revenue, Ajmer. He was also the collector and district magistrate of Jalore and Hanumangarh. While the Jaipur Development Authority is reeling under financial crisis, it would be a challenge for Agarwal to give pace to the new projects. 

 

Nagpur Municipal Corporation tenants to shell out more

Tuesday, 04 February 2014 11:06 administrator
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The Times of India            04.02.2014

Nagpur Municipal Corporation tenants to shell out more

NAGPUR: After a long time, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started the process to revise the rents of its commercial tenants. The proposal was kept pending for last four years and brought out of the files following huge revenue deficit. The move is likely to increase the civic body's revenue by Rs 23 crore per annum.

The NMC market department has tabled the proposal before the standing committee. After getting nod, rents of 4,431 tenants will be revised according to existing ready reckoner rates. Besides, the civic body will also recover three months rents as deposit. For mutation of tenants, the NMC will charge three months rent and Rs 1,000.

For the first time, the NMC will also take action against tenants if different occupants are found at the shops. Fine of Rs 2,000 per month will be levied along with monthly rent.

Giving the reason behind the decision to revise rents, the market department in the proposal said revenue will increase to Rs 26.20 crore as against existing Rs 3.52 crore from rents. "Many of the tenants have objection on the revision. But the revision is must due to financial crisis at the NMC," it is said.

Strangely, the NMC's existing rents are much lower compared to ready reckoner value and no way can be compared with market value. The shops at Gokulpeth market are a fine example. NMC charges Rs 390 monthly rent for a shop of 100 sq.ft at the market.

In yet another decision also aimed at increasing revenue, the market department has proposed to charge Rs 10 per day from hawkers and vendors at NMC's registered markets.

 

Nagpur Municipal Corporation starts attaching properties of tax defaulters

Tuesday, 04 February 2014 10:56 administrator
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The Times of India            04.02.2014

Nagpur Municipal Corporation starts attaching properties of tax defaulters

NAGPUR: Those who have not paid their property tax, and those who have not brought their properties under the tax purview, are set to face serious action this fiscal. Facing revenue deficit, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has commenced a drive to take action against such defaulters over the last few days. This drive was otherwise supposed to be launched in March.

Nehru Nagar zone attached five open plots at mouza Harpur for not paying the property tax. Assistant commissioner Mahesh Moroney said tax was due on the five plots since 1987 and 2000. "Tax of Rs79,590 was due on two plots and Rs73,481 on three plots. Attachment drive will continue everyday from now onwards. Even structures will be attached in case of non-payment of tax," he said.

Moroney added that action was also initiated against properties not registered under property tax purview. "Survey revealed that over 1,500 open plots are yet to come under tax purview, despite the passage of 20-30 years. This is a very serious violation of norms. These plots are situated in Dighori, Harpur, Bidipeth and Chikli Khurd. Property tax of around Rs1.50 crore can come from these properties. Ultimatum of one week has been given to all plot owners. All plots will be attached in case the owners do not apply for property tax assessment," he said.

Similarly, other nine zones also kicked-off the drive to take action, especially against taxes not paid from last few years.

The action of attachment of properties will not be taken against taxpayers if only the tax of current fiscal is overdue. But taxpayers will have to pay 2% interest per month for delay in payment of tax since January 1.

The revenue deficit due to setback from local body tax is hounding the NMC. Besides, revenue from property tax is not increasing according to expected ratio. Property tax of Rs106.06 crore was recovered as on December 31 as against total demand of Rs315 crore.

 
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