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.”