Property tax arrears owed to BBMP stands at Rs 1,211 crore

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike owns Rs 1,211 as unpaid property taxes by property owners in the city.

The municipal commissioner has now instructed the officials of BBMP’s revenue department to send notices to all property owners who have tax arrears of more than one year and initiate strict action against them including seizure of property.

The commissioner also pointed out to a problem in the tax arrears. It was noted that two or three tax payments accounts were registered to a single property which has also caused an excess in the arrears. Thus, the commissioner has directed the removal of additional accounts.

Replying to the commissioner’s directives, Dr S Basavaraj, Special Commissioner (Revenue) stated that notice will be issued to overdue property taxpayers and their property will be confiscated if they do not pay the taxes after the receipt of the notice.

The commissioner also ordered that due to the COVID-19-induced economic crisis pressure shouldn’t be put on those who have not paid taxes this year and provide them time till March 31, 2021. It must be strictly collected from those whose arrears exceed a year.

In the current year, Rs 1,824 crore of property taxes have been collected since April.

Additionally, BBMP Mayor M Gautam Kumar has alleged that in connivance with lower level officials in the BBMP, many contractors working on BBMP contracts have filed false bills and receipts for claims.

The Mayor also wrote a letter regarding this to Rakesh Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department asking them to cancel tenders and contracts and take strict action against the contractors and BBMP officials who have forged documents.