Property tax defaulters to face 2% monthly fine Story by radhe HEAD: Property tax

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to execute the state government's notification to impose a two per cent penalty on people who fail to pay their property tax for the first six months of the year 2010-11 before September 30.

The government notification of May 31, 2010, has authorised the civic body to impose a fine of two per cent on the tax amount for every defaulting month if the property tax is not paid within a given period of time. The second instalment of the property tax has to be paid before December 31, 2010.

In the last two years, the PMC has brought nearly 80,000 properties under its tax net. However, an estimated 45,000 properties still remain out of its reach. The standing committee has repeatedly told the administration to make an effort to widen its tax net. Once the unassessed properties are covered, the civic body is expected to get an additional revenue of Rs 100 crore to 150 crore.

The PMC's tax collection and assessment department has already submitted a plan regarding this to the standing committee. After octroi, property tax is a major source of revenue for the PMC. The department has proposed that digital pictures of all properties be taken for records and an aluminium plate be fixed on each property, identifying its survey number and other details. Meanwhile, in order to improve collection of property tax, the civic administration has proposed that zone-wise agencies be appointed to assess properties and bring unassessed properties under the tax net.