Deccan Chronicle 08.01.2010

Pay water tax, get interest waived

Bengaluru, Jan. 7: The state government could consider waiving the interest on water tax in seven corporations — excluding BBMP — if people agree to pay the principal amount, said urban development minister S. Suresh Kumar.

“The collection of water tax in many city corporations is not satisfactory due to various reasons including shortage of staff. The amount has been accumulating for the last several years. I have directed the commissioners of all these seven corporations to send a proposal after which I will take this up with the Chief Minister,” Mr Kumar told reporters after interacting with corporation commissioners and DCs in a video-conferencing session here on Thursday.

In his first video conferencing with the commissioners, Mr Kumar proved that he knew enough about urban problems. He was a three-time corporator of Bangalore City Corporation in the 80s.

When the Gulbarga incharge commissioner said that he did not have enough staff to collect water tax, Mr Kumar asked him to take the help of revenue inspectors and undertake a special drive so that officials who collect property tax, could collect water tax too.

He asked the commissioner of Mangalore city to identify 6-8 plots for construction of multi-tier parking lots keeping in view the growth potential of the city.