BBMP chief orders listing of top property tax defaulters, says Mantri Mall will stay sealed till it clears Rs 30-crore dues
BENGALURU:
In the backdrop of huge property tax dues from major builders and developers, BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta has directed his team to prepare a list of major tax defaulters so as to initiate legal action against them.
His directions come after BBMP’s West zone officials sealed Bengaluru’s prestigious Mantri Mall for not clearing property tax dues of more than Rs 30 crore. Gupta reportedly directed his team to not allow Mantri Mall to function until it clears all the dues.
Chairing a virtual meeting of BBMP’s revenue officials, he said, “Tax payers who have not paid their property tax should pay up immediately. Officials are asked to enforce strict collection of the taxes.” He added, “Whoever has large property tax dues, a top defaulters’ list should be prepared and legal action should be taken and the tax should be collected.”
‘Step up collections’
Gupta exhorted the revenue officers and assistant revenue officers to be on their toes in the matter of collecting property tax. Citizens who have not paid their property tax should be issued notices and the tax should be collected. Lands/properties hitherto out of the tax net should be assessed for tax. If property owners have not done their own self-assessment, revenue officers should visit them, fix the property tax and collect it, he said.
Noting that of the current year’s property tax target of Rs 4,000 crore, Rs 2,483.91 crore had been collected, he called for a target to be fixed for every tax collector.
As on December 6, Mahadevapura zone tops the list with a collection of Rs 643.27 crore, followed by East zone with Rs 470.01 crore, South Rs 375.17 crore, West Rs 254.60 crore, Bommanahalli Rs 252.09 crore, Yelahanka Rs 251.31 crore, Rajarajeswari Nagar zone Rs 169.27 crore and Dasarahalli zone Rs 68.19 crore.
Special Commissioner (Revenue) Dr Deepak RL, Joint Commissioner (Revenue) Venkatachalapathy and all zonal joint commissioners, revenue department deputy commissioners and other revenue officers were present.
