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MGP takes MCC to court over ‘illegal’ taxes

Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:40 administrator
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The Hindu                    14.02.2013

MGP takes MCC to court over ‘illegal’ taxes

Special Correspondent

The Mysore Grahakara Parishat has filed a case in a Mysore court for permanent injunction, restraining the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) from levying taxes not permitted under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976.

In a release, MGP president Shrimati Hariprasad said many taxes being levied by MCC were illegal, and the procedure adopted by the corporation to calculate some of them was also illegal.

For example, in calculating property tax, MCC permits an annual depreciation of the value of buildings, based on a Government Order. But this does not any backing in the KMC Act.

The corporation cited section 109A of the Act as the basis for allowing 50 per cent rebate for self-occupation. “But section 109A [in that form] was repealed in 2005,” the MGP said.

The parishat took umbrage to the fact that citizens were being made to calculate property tax afresh every year. The KMC Act stated that property tax shall not be assessed each year but stand enhanced by 15 per cent once in three years. “Forcing citizens to calculate the property tax every year is illegal and liable to be restrained and quashed,” the note added.

Besides, health, anti-beggary, library, vacant site cleaning and UGD cess, all of which are included while computing property tax, were levied on the basis of various government orders and did not have the sanction of the KMC Act, it said.

Last Updated on Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:44
 

BBMP to display list of property tax defaulters at public places

Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:28 administrator
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The Hindu                      14.02.2013

BBMP to display list of property tax defaulters at public places

Staff Reporter

Four lakh property owners in Bangalore owe BBMP Rs. 750 crore.

Have not paid property tax this year? Beware... soon you may find your name on the list of defaulters displayed publicly. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is known to be cash-strapped, is leaving no stone unturned to collect dues from tax defaulters.

According to a press release, Commissioner Siddaiah has directed zonal commissioners, deputy commissioners and assistant revenue officers to collect all pending dues. It is said that there are around four lakh property owners who owe the BBMP tax dues amounting to a whopping Rs. 750 crore. These property owners have not paid any tax since 2008-09.

As a first order of things, the release stated that the Commissioner had asked the officials to prepare ward-wise list of defaulters and display them prominently in public places, besides sharing the list with the local residents’ welfare associations. The BBMP will also continue with its drum-beating programme. The officials have been given a deadline of March 31 to prepare the list.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to bring all the 16.5 lakh properties mapped using Geographical Information System (GIS) under the tax net. In 2008-09, almost 13.34 lakh property owners paid tax under the Self Assessment Scheme to the BBMP. However this year, only 9.44 lakh property owners have paid tax, while 3.9 lakh have defaulted on payment.

To identify those who have suppressed facts and paid less tax to the BBMP, the civic body has already taken up revalidation of tax paid by commercial properties with more than 10,000 sq ft of built up area. With this exercise almost coming to an end, the release said, the officials have now been asked to take up revalidation of commercial properties with built up area between 4,000 sq ft and 10,000 sq ft.

Other than this, the BBMP will also compare the property tax details with GIS maps, electoral rolls and building plans.

With this, the civic body hopes to identify owners who have rented out their properties and declared as being “self occupied” to pay less tax, besides those who have sought approval for a residential plan and using the premises for commercial purposes, the release added.

 

New property tax may be 0.2% of ready reckoner value

Thursday, 06 September 2012 07:29 administrator
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The Times of India     06.09.2012

New property tax may be 0.2% of ready reckoner value

NAGPUR: The new property tax is likely to be 0.2% of ready reckoner value of properties. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) general body will take a final call on the proposal this month, but the new rates may be implemented from the next fiscal.

Municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane said the administration gave a presentation of the ready reckoner based property tax system to mayor Anil Sole and other office bearers at a meeting on Wednesday.

Sources told TOI that the administration proposes to go for 0.2% of ready reckoner value as property tax. Members of the committee headed by Sole suggested a few changes, like excluding bars and restaurants from one category, and directed that the proposal be sent to the general body. Sole is likely to hold a he meeting of general body in the second or third week of this month, where a final decision will be taken. The decision is very important as taxpayers may face high property tax due to revision in ready reckoner rates in January.

Speaking about his focus since joining, Wardhane said a penalty of Rs1 lakh has been slapped on sanitation operator Kanak Resources for not ensuring garbage-free roads and streets. "Sanitation and cleanliness will be my top priority, with regular inspection from 7am. Cattle-sheds not registered with dairy development will be moved outside city limits. NMC is also planning a cattle-shed at Bhandewadi and may shift registered cattle-sheds there. Of over 1,172 cattle-sheds just 472 are registered," he said.

Expressing dismay over water operator Orange City Water Limited (OCWL), Wardhane said directives have been given to expedite the 24X7 water supply project. "OCWL was to lay new water network of 800 meter daily but has failed to meet the target. Now, OCWL has been asked to ensure laying of 1.8-2km water network daily. I am monitoring it daily. Besides, the target is to complete 50% works undertaken under JNNURM and finish off everything by end of 2013," he said.

Saying there was plan to change the Starbus operator immediately, or revise the agreement according to the Central government's enquiry report, Wardhane said any such decision may lead to breakdown of city bus service, affecting thousands. "Efforts are on to provide land for bus stop and parking. Meeting was held with PDKV, which was positive over giving land to NMC. Also, TATA company has agreed to undertake maintenance of buses. Plans are going on to improve services," he said.

Confirming the show cause notice to corporator Ramesh Punekar for misbehaving with assistant commissioner Dilip Patil, Wardhane said a reply has been received. "Further steps will be taken after going through the reply."

Wardhane also said that staffers are reaching office in time since his show cause notice to three staffers. Asked about Sonegaon lake, Wardhane said verification of exact land is going on.

He added, "It's too early, but all efforts are on to improve civic services and expedite development works. Issues like education, pay and park, roads etc will be dealt with in the coming days."

Last Updated on Thursday, 06 September 2012 07:31
 
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