NMC nets Rs 32 cr of property tax arrears in one month
   Date :15-Jan-2021

NMC _1  H x W:
 
 
Staff Reporter :
 
Amnesty scheme offering 80 per cent waiver of penal charges extended till January 20 to encourage citizens 
 
At end of the one-month amnesty scheme for clearance of arrears of Property Tax, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) reported accruals of Rs 32 crore. While the amount may not seem big but nearly 25,000 citizens have zeroed their tax liability and this is one positive news from the drive, said Milind Meshram, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), NMC.
 
The response, though low key, was seen as encouraging sign and hence Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B has extended the scheme offering rebate upto 80 per cent in penal charges till January 20. As per earlier announcement, 80 per cent waiver in penal charges was applicable till January 14. But with focus on offering as much as relief to harassed citizens in backdrop of economic slowdown due to impact of COVID-19, civic body has extended the date offering maximum concession to tax payers. Meshram further said till date total tax collection from property owners now stands at Rs. 188 crore and this includes Rs nine crore paid as part of regular liability for the current financial year during the one month from December 14 to January 14. To a question he said, the Revenue Department is hopeful of meeting the target set by Standing Committee and NMC House as to collection through Property Tax by end of the financial year. From the old liability about 24,750 persons have cleared their past liability.
 
Post expiry of the month long period, the waiver in penal charges was to drop down to 50 per cent. Now it remains to be seen how citizens response fathom during the extended amnesty period for 80 per cent scheme. Phase one of the amnesty scheme announced for property tax arrears ends today with civic authorities urging citizens not to miss the chance to avail 80 per cent waiver in penal charges. After expiry of the scheme tax payers can still clear the arrears but they would then be eligible only for 50 per cent discount in penalty.
 
For the same the period was to continue till next month in February so as to ensure citizens can still clear their dues utilising the opportunity. Meanwhile the endeavour of civic bosses during through the amnesty scheme was to minmise the outstanding tax in Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 bracket where maximum low income group persons are defaulters. So even if 25 per cent of people in this group reduces their arrears to zero, it shaves of a substantial number of citizens listed as defaulters. For civic machinery also it is a huge relief as otherwise recovering this petty amount is a heart wrenching exercise. More than that the administrative exercise to get these arrears cleared itself is not financially viable. Similarly, the statistics of settlement of cases that is either pending before court for adjudication or in appeal with civic officials is not yet known. Also only after completion of complete exercise a clear picture of profile of citizens who have come forward to zero their arrears would be known, said the sources further. Meanwhile, Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari and Vijay Zalke, Chairperson, Standing Committee have further appealed citizens to make most of the extended deadline offering 80 per cent concession for clearing Property Tax arrears.