The Hindu 29.11.2010
MCC launches property tax collection drive
| ‘It's an attempt to boost revenue for providing basic amenities' |
Initiative:MCC officials collecting property tax from owners in Mysore on Sunday.
MYSORE: The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) conducted a property tax collection drive in a bid to augment its revenue, here on Sunday.
The drive was restricted to zone 9 of the MCC and covered ward numbers 55 to 57 that included parts of Alanahalli, JSS Layout and surrounding areas.
Mahesh, Assistant Commissioner of zone 9, took the lead in conducting the drive and authorities set up an ad hoc counter to facilitate the public to remit property tax.
Though property tax constituted the largest component of the MCC revenue, officials said that less than 50 per cent of the property owners in the city remitted the tax.
Hence, the MCC had conducted a drive to widen the net.
It is reckoned that there are nearly 2.25 lakh properties in Mysore and the authorities want to boost revenue for providing civic amenities. The MCC collected nearly Rs. 49.7 crore by way of property tax during the financial year 2009-10, while Rs. 34.59 crore was collected during 2008-09.
The present drive is to ensure that the collection does not fall below the level of the financial year 2009-10.
The target for zone 9 for the present financial year is said to be Rs. 7.72 crore. Authorities hope to meet the target by creating public awareness about the imperatives of remitting the tax as the revenue is channelised for providing services to the citizens.
The authorities also conducted a publicity campaign to drive home the message that paying tax helps in development of the city.
