Survey for levying property tax on the basis of Geographic Information System (GIS) has been completed. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation is preparing the ground for issuing special notices.
Migration to GIS is one of the reforms under the Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) on property tax. The corporation’s plans to shift to GIS and issue demand notices on its basis for the first half of the current year have been delayed.
Though the GIS survey has been completed, following some discrepancies at ground level, random verification has been ordered. It has been delayed owing to transfer of tax collectors, according to sources. Though the transfers were announced in June, the orders were given in July.
In Zone II and III, however, an intensive survey has been taken up, say sources. Though the survey was to be completed earlier, paving way for collection in the first half of the year, it got delayed. Permission had been obtained from the then Municipal Commissioner to issue the special notices based on GIS survey later.
Highly placed sources have told The Hindu that the on-field verification has been completed and details have been sent to the zone commissioners. It has indicated an increase of Rs.17 crore for the year from property tax. GVMC plans to issue special notices in a month.
Earlier, indications are that from about 50,000 properties, higher tax can be realised. The major reasons for increase are more plinth area being incorporated and use of residential premises for commercial purpose.
Sources say though the first half year elapsed, special notices can be issued for realising higher tax later covering the entire year.
