The Times of India              01.11.2013

Technology helps spur property tax collections: TG Vinay

VISAKHAPATNAM: Self-assessment facility for payers and providing online payment options are the key to ensuring timely collection of property tax, said Chennai Municipal Corporation deputy commissioner TG Vinay here on Thursday.

Speaking on the concluding day of the two-day national workshop conducted by the Association of Municipalities and Development Authorities (AMDA) on the use of information technology in property tax collection, he said IT enables civic bodies to achieve transparency. Furthermore, he said that services offered through citizen facilitation centres are also required to be made IT-effective. "The use of Geographic Information System (GIS), field surveys to identify assets of taxable properties, integration of field information with tax database, internet connectivity and other IT initiatives will influence urban local bodies to simplify property tax issues," he added.

Pointing out the benefits of using IT, assistant commissioner of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Bhanudas Gaikwad said that the corporation has been functioning effectively by using IT in property taxation. By adopting advanced IT mechanisms, Rs 34 crore was collected within three months, he added. The corporation has connectivity with 40 banks to collect property tax and a mobile payment application will also be introduced next year, he added.

South Delhi municipal commissioner Manish Gupta said that IT implementation in property tax issues will enable payers to undertake self-assessment and make payments online on a round-the-clock basis.