The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Draft rules for property tax collection notified

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Draft rules for property tax collection notified

Staff Reporter

People can send in their objections and suggestions within 15 days

It envisages random scrutiny of returns filed by property owners
Definition of non-residential or commercial buildings has been widened

Bangalore: The State Government on Tuesday notified the draft rules for collection of property tax by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and invited objections/ suggestions from the public.

People can send in their objections and suggestions on the draft rules called Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Property Tax Rules, 2008, to the Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, Vikasa Soudha, Bangalore, within fifteen days from November 18.

Computerisation

The draft notification envisages a people-friendly and computerised method of random scrutiny of returns filed by the property owners.

Every return filed by a owner will be given a continuous serial number in a chronological order by the computer and thereafter it will be taken up for random scrutiny on the basis of random computer generated numbers under the supervision of an officer authorised by the Commissioner. Random computer generated number system for scrutiny has been introduced to prevent discrimination in the process of selection of property returns for scrutiny.

However, the cases selected for random scrutiny will not exceed 15 per cent of the total returns filed in each zonal office of the BBMP in each year within the block period.

Similarly, the cases selected for random scrutiny and details of inspection of the property will be displayed on the notice boards of the respective zones, divisional offices, besides publishing them on BBMP’s website.

The BBMP will also inform property taxpayer in writing the date and time set for scrutiny of the return filed, if necessary.

Different forms

According to the rules, different types of forms will be made available for filling returns depending upon nature of the properties — those assessed and assigned with khata and property tax index number (PID); for property that is assessed and not assigned with PID but possess khata or a holder khata and municipal number; for property that are unassessed and do not have municipal number, etc.

Elaborate definitions

On the other hand, the definition of built up area of a building has been elaborated by including structures like constructed boundary of swimming pool, fuel storage tanks constructed underground or above the ground, storage of merchandise in open space like timber, granite, bricks etc, stilts meant for parking and telecommunication and other towers and hoardings erected on the surface or top or any other open space of land or building.

Similarly, the definition of non-residential or commercial buildings has also been widened.

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