Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is increasing leveraging new age technology for fine tuning its data base, mostly relating to Property Tax, a major revenue gainer. The Property Tax Department tapped into Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a pilot project implemented at Laxmi Nagar Zone and got startling result that enabled it to properly update its record as to change in nature of property.

 

These days, older properties are undergoing transformation due to redevelopment but till physical checks are carried out, NMC continues to issue tax receipts based on previous classification. So when a zone got data about 9,000 properties and when matched against the old record, the result was addition of 2,000 new properties. This enabled the civic body to broaden its tax horizon and add to catalogue the new indexed properties. Further, in 7,000 other properties, major changes were noticed, such as addition of floors which automatically has to update the tax cover. Use the AI tools, the civic body officials also found that of 380 properties that were physically verified, 12 new assets were noticed and at 215 other places, major changes were noticed.

 

The simple sample reveals that massive upgradation is need of the hour and now NMC has decided to deploy AI across all ten zones. Post analysis of the massive properties data and usage of AI, it was observed that there is need for fresh door to door survey to update the record. Using AI and blockchain technology, NMC can see definite surge in non-taxed properties that would enable it to increase the tax collection. Earlier in previous survey, held once in 10 years, the properties are geo-tagged, marking its latitude and longitude, that enabled it to match with the tax slabs. As per the usage, household or business, the tax slabs also changes significantly. Similarly, the age of building is also a factor while determining the tax net. At present, NMC nets about Rs 325 crore from the property tax and if AI platform is used totally, then the same can surge in major way. This would increase the internal accruing for the civic body.