SECUNDERABAD: Forty commercial properties have been sealed and property tax dues to the tune of Rs 2 crore was recovered ever since the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has decided to get tough on defaulters after notices have failed to yield the desired result. Highly-placed sources told TOI that SCB is now contemplating sending legal notices to property owners for failing to pay property tax dues and seizing their movable assets.Senior officials said SCB sought opinion of legal experts to implement the proposal. “Under this provision, we will seal or seize movable assets like two- wheelers and four-wheelers, home appliances like television sets, refrigerators, washing machines, air-coolers and other items equal to the property tax payable,” said an official. He said among the defaulters are nursing homes, clinics, mobile phone shops, petrol outlets and commercial establishments.
Officials said SCB had given enough time for the defaulters to clear their dues. “Our tax wing has been serving red notices to the defaulters but in vain. Officials have visited properties but the response has been lukewarm. It was then that we decided to seal their movable assets,” a senior official said.
SCB launched the drive on July 5 to seal commercial properties. “Nearly Rs 10 crore worth property tax is pending with both residential and commercial properties in the Cantonment for 2018-19 fiscal year. As per the notice, all the property owners have to pay tax by March 31,” a tax department official explained.
Sources said the individual property tax dues range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4 lakh. “After we cracked the whip, some defaulters have come forward and cleared Rs 2 crore tax,” he added.
Officials said the drive against errant properties would continue.