The Hindu       05.06.2012

Parks, property tax figure in South Delhi municipality meeting

It may have started with a squabble on which official sits where at the Civic Centre on Minto Road, but the South Delhi Municipal Corporation's second house meeting on Monday ended with discussions over the maintenance of parks and methods to collect property tax under its jurisdiction.

SDMC's Leader of Opposition Farhad Suri pointed to the lapse in collecting house tax from several properties that lie within the Corporation's limits. “House tax is the biggest revenue generator but collections have reduced over the years,” he said, adding that dishonoured cheques have also been a point of concern in collecting revenue. “Technology should be used in collection of tax where handheld devices can measure the size of the property and it can transmit the information to the officials at the property tax department,” said Mr. Suri.

He also pointed out that the Corporation is not receiving property tax or service charges from Central and State Government properties such as from the Northern Railway and Postal Department. “Since costs of rendering civic services are increasing each year, the Corporation has to raise revenue from internal sources,” he added.

The Councillors called for measures to make a list of properties that do not fall under the tax net and expressed views that property tax should not be collected from unauthorised colonies. “Urban villages should be exempted from house tax,” said a Councillor. “The forms that need to be filled in by the common man should be user-friendly and should not give rise to confusions,” said another one.

In addition, Councillors across party lines, highlighted the poor state of parks that fall under their wards and the lack of basic infrastructure necessary for their upkeep. “More trucks are required to clear the garden waste, there are a shortage of gardeners to work in the parks and trees and bushes require pruning,” said a BJP Councillor from Hauz Khas. “A distinction should also be made between parks with grass and playgrounds for children to play cricket. This way, trees are not affected,” she added.