In order to finance the fight against COVID 19, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has decided to the proper collection of property tax which is one of the major sources of revenue of the corporation. The civic chief Abhijit Bangar while reviewing the tax collection during the financial year 2021-22, he set a target of Rs 700 crores property tax collection.
As the emphasis is being given on creating necessary infrastructures for the possible third wave of COVID 19, the civic administration requires to pay attention to increase the income of the corporation.
As property tax is an important source of income for the corporation, civic chief Bangar held a special meeting of the property tax department to take more effective measures to focus on tax collection.
Bangar directed to prepare an action plan keeping in view the target of Rs 700 crores for the financial year 2021-22 with a time-bound collection.
Bangar warned that the property holders who did not pay their taxes despite an extension of the Abhay Yojana and if they do not respond now, a notice should be issued, and if necessary, legal action should be taken to freeze the bank account or confiscate or auction the property.
“During the months of April and May, due to the effects of the second wave of COVID 19, officials and employees of other departments of the corporation, including health, were engaged in COVID prevention work. It also included officers and employees of the property tax department. With the third wave of COVID may come in August and September, everyone will be busy with COVID prevention works. Therefore, there is a need to focus more effectively on property tax recovery in June and July,” said Bangar.
Meanwhile, Bangar also suggested to understand for the delay in payment of property tax by residents. He said that if there is an issue, it should be in a timely and transparent manner as the delay will create negative image in the minds of the taxpayers. “To prevent this, the department needs to take the lead and work to build trust among taxpayers,” he said.
