The Bruhat Bengaluru Manahagara Palike may extend the 5% rebate on payment of property tax till May 31, after it brings up the issue in the council meeting on Wednesday.
Tax and Finance standing committee chairman M.K. Gunashekar said the extension of rebate was considered after several citizens reported difficulties in online payment and rush at bank counters. Citizens have complained to the BBMP that in some cases, earlier payments did not show up online. Others said that the property number and street names were not updated online. Ex-servicemen were unable to avail themselves of rebate as the option did not show up.
The BBMP on Tuesday came out with a list of actions it will take to address citizen grievances.
“We have got close to 60% of the mistakes in the software corrected and the remaining will be corrected in 10 days,” said Mr. Gunashekar. The BBMP is aiming to decentralise tax collection and has requested banks to extend tax collection counters in more branches. Counters will also be set up at the Joint Commissioner’s offices and revenue offices in 10 areas in the city in 10 days.
So far, the BBMP has collected ₹250.17 crore, of which ₹99.89 crore is from online payments. Another ₹195.42 crore is expected in a few days based on the number of active challans. Last year, around ₹280 crore was collected by the BBMP in April.
