BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has extended the last date for paying property tax without penalty for the first half of 2006-2007 to June 30.

It had earlier announced that May 31 would be the last date for paying tax without fine for the first half year.

The civic body, which has fixed the property tax collection target at Rs. 400 crore this year, collected Rs. 120 crore from April 1 till date, BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj said.

Replying to members' queries at the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Council meeting here on Tuesday, the Commissioner said tax adalats would be organised to dispose of cases relating to property tax payment.

"I have directed revenue officials to take up an intensive drive to identify all evaders of property tax and bring them under the tax net. I have also warned them of drastic action if their performance is not up to the mark," he said.

Survey

Pointing out that the zonal Deputy Commissioners would soon take up a survey to identify tax evaders, Mr Jairaj said: "I have asked the officials to ensure that the property tax target of Rs. 400 crore is met. I have authorised them to issue holder khatas to owners of property in revenue pockets and collect tax from them," he said.

Mr. Jairaj said he had also asked officials to ensure that owners of commercial buildings, whose property tax rates had been hiked by 20 per cent in the BMP budget for 2006-2007, paid the revised rates.

The rates have been hiked by 20 per cent after the State Government revised the guidance value of properties recently. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike expects Rs. 55 crore through this sector.

Action against contractors

Reiterating that the BMP would take steps to ensure that there was no loss to life and property this monsoon, Mr. Jairaj said he would initiate penal action against the contractors executing the storm water drain remodelling project if they did not complete the allotted work before June 30.

Remodelling valleys

"I have found that work on the Rs. 470-crore project to remodel all the four major valleys in the city is not up to the mark. The agencies, that have been allotted work 13 months ago, have not met the stipulated deadlines. I have made it clear to them that such laxity will not be tolerated. If they do not expedite work, I will initiate penal action against them," Mr. Jairaj said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail