After failing to recover property tax dues from the top 10 defaulters, who collectively owe the cash-strapped BBMP Rs. 112.25 crore, the civic agency will now put up flex banners outside their premises.
Releasing the list of defaulters on Monday, M. Shivaraju, chairperson of BBMP’s Standing Committee for Taxation and Finance, told reporters that notices had been issued to these defaulters several times. “Even after putting flex banners, if they fail to clear the dues, we will take appropriate action as prescribed by the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, which includes seizing the property,” he said and added that if interest at the rate of two per cent per month is added, the total amount will nearly double.
He said that a list of properties with dues of over Rs. 50 lakh would be released soon. He also said that BBMP officials, including the zonal commissioner and assistant revenue officer concerned, had been directed to visit property owners who owe over Rs. 1 lakh every Wednesday and recover the dues.
Mr. Shivaraju said that during the review of tax collections from the five outer zones, the committee came across several bounced cheques. He said that officials have been warned that the amount would be recovered from them if they fail to collect the dues.
Dues of vacant sitesIdentifying the owners of vacant sites, who have not paid property tax for years, is a challenge, says M. Shivaraju, chairperson of the Standing Committee for Taxation and Finance. Officials had been directed to put up a signage at such property that it belongs to the BBMP. “The owners will then come forward with property records to claim ownership. We will then collect the pending property tax dues,” he said.
Top 10 defaultersManyata Promoters Pvt. Ltd., Nagawara (Rs. 83.45 crore)
Vydehi Hospital, Hoody (Rs. 8.51 crore)
Vydehi Hospital, Whitefield (Rs. 7.97 crore)
Subramanya Constructions, Bannerghatta Road (Rs. 5.34 crore)
Total Mall, Outer Ring Road, Hoody (Rs. 1.72 crore)
United Glass Bottles Mfg Co., Anjanapura (Rs. 1.37 crore)
Central Mall, Marathahalli (Rs. 1.25 crore)
Souls Space, Outer Ring Road, Doddanekkundi (Rs. 1 crore)
Home Town, Munekolalu Road (Rs. 91 lakh)
Bhagwan Sharma, Palace Road (Rs. 73 lakh)
