Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Saturday snapped the water connections of over a 100 residential as well as commercial users who had defaulted on payment of tax since the last fiscal.
The move comes in the wake of a review meeting conducted last week wherein the civic chief Sanjeev Jaiswal ordered each department to ramp up their collections and meet the revenue targets, failing which he said stern action will be taken against senior officials.
As per the orders, the civic authority cracked a whip on 127 water connections from various parts of the city — Naupada, Manpada, Uthalsar, Vartak Nagar, Majiwada, Kalwa, Kopri and Wagle Estate.
A senior civic official said, “We have deployed a special squad to look into the water tax collection process. Citizens who have failed to pay their bills will be shamed by displaying their names on hoardings and strict actions will be taken against them. Accordingly, we have started the process of snapping their water connections. This includes both residential users as well as commercial establishments. Those who have illegally re-connected their water supply without the permission of the civic administration will also be made liable to pay fines.”
Till date, the civic body has managed to recover Rs 80 crore which is only 55 per cent of the targeted water tax amount of Rs 150 crore for this fiscal year.
Displeased by the poor tax collection, even this year Jaiswal will be sticking to the Band Baaja concept flagged off in 2017 wherein the team would send a band to the residences of the tax evaders and shame them into paying their dues.
“It is good to know that the civic body is investigating in depth such cases and taking action against defaulters. I hope that people pay their dues on time after this move taken up by the municipal corporation,” said Lata Dighe, a Thane resident.
The move comes in the wake of a review meeting conducted last week when civic chief Sanjeev Jaiswal ordered each department to ramp up their collections and meet the revenue targets, else face stern actions. Till date, Rs 80 crore revenue has been recovered, which is just 55% of the targeted water tax amount of for this fiscal
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE