The Times of India        07.12.2010

MCD likely to raise property tax in city

NEW DELHI: The cash-strapped Municipal Corporation of Delhi is once again looking at increasing property tax rates in the capital. MCD commissioner K S Mehra will present his proposed budget estimate for the financial year 2011-2012 on Wednesday and MCD is looking at increasing the amount of taxes levied on residential as well as commercial properties.

MCD's political brass has, however, shot down the idea. "We will not levy more taxes on the people, even if it is proposed by the commissioner. The MCD needs to improve its revenue collection but this can be done by bringing more people into the tax net. There are more than 4,800 properties which owe MCD more than Rs 5 lakh in taxes. Officials should concentrate on recovering taxes from such properties first," said standing committee chairman Yogender Chandolia. "We might consider increasing property tax on commercial properties though," added Chandolia.

The commissioner's proposed budget presentation has been decided after meetings with various departments. After this, the deliberative wing of MCD will carry out extensive discussions for a month before approving the proposals. The deliberative wing has asked the commissioner to ensure the budget presented is not a deficit one.

The third Municipal Valuation Committee report — which is still pending with the MCD — had recommended re-categorising of colonies which were located near the Metro besides making several other proposals to improve property tax collections.