The Hindu                 30.04.2013

Officials on poll duty, tax collection dips

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) tax
collection has taken a hit with most revenue officials posted on
election duty.

According to BBMP’s Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) I. Ramakanth, the civic authority had garnered only Rs. 305 crore so far.

The
BBMP started collecting tax for the 2013-14 fiscal from April 1. With a
five per cent rebate on till April 30, many citizens are keen on paying
their property tax but compared to last year, the tax collection has
dipped. Last year, the BBMP had created a record of sorts by collecting
Rs. 410 crore during the same period. This clearly shows that the
elections have affected the BBMP’s revenue generation.

With
most revenue officials posted on election duty, people have been
complaining of being unable to pay their taxes at the BBMP’s help
centres across the city.

While Mr. Ramakanth claimed
that BBMP’s essential services have not been affected, a revenue
official, on the condition of anonymity, told
The Hindu
that some help centres were closed on Saturday as many officials on
election duty were at a training session. “Tax collection is routine
work, election work is our national duty. This takes precedence over
routine work,” he said.

Mr. Ramakanth said that
citizens need not go to the BBMP’s help centres to pay tax. “Property
tax can be paid at BangaloreOne centres and online,” he said.

Meanwhile,
sources said that the BBMP had written to the government seeking
permission to extend the five per cent rebate till the end of May.