The Hindu 09.01.2010
50,000 properties in city to be brought under tax net
Special Correspondent
| MCC authorities draw flak for their failure to mop up resources |
Officials told to check authenticity of declaration made by property owners under SAS
‘There are nearly 13,000 illegal water connections in the city’
— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM 
Taking stock: The Third State Finance Commission Recommendation Implementation Task Force, led by its Chairman A.G. Kodgi (second from left), reviewing the financial position of local bodies in Mysore on Friday.
MYSORE: More than 50,000 properties will be brought under the property tax net by the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) to augment revenue realisation.
This follows a review of the financial position of local bodies by the Third State Finance Commission Recommendation Implementation Task Force, led by its Chairman A.G. Kodgi, here on Friday.
The task force appraised itself of the tax collection details and learnt much to its chagrin that of the nearly 1.88 lakh properties registered in the city, over 50,000 properties had remained outside the purview of the property tax net.
When questioned by the task force members, revenue officials cited legislation to justify their stance that properties that had come up on revenue site could not be taxed by the city corporation. However, the task force members were not impressed by this and cited legislation that provided for bringing such properties under the tax net.
The MCC authorities drew flak for their failure to mop up resources and meet the revenue collection target. As against the target of Rs. 134.91 crore, the MCC had collected revenue of only Rs. 52.32 crore so far during the current financial year.
The officials were asked to plug leaks and ensure that property owners did not provide false details to reduce the tax burden. They were directed to conduct random and surprise inspections to check the authenticity of the declaration made by property owners under the Self Assessment Scheme (SAS).
The members noted that it was the influential section of society which was not prompt in paying taxes.
The MCC authorities should pull their socks up if they were to generate adequate revenue to fund infrastructure projects or provide basic civic amenities to the public, the members said.
Arrears pertaining to water tax was said to be Rs. 61.95 crore, including principal amount and interest on the principal amount. The corporation officials told the task force members that there were nearly 13,000 illegal water connections in the city.
The task force members also reviewed the financial position of town municipalities of various taluks. Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan and Mayor Purushottam were among those present.
