A remark from the Commissioner of Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has drawn flak from the cross section of the society. Earlier, the City Corporation had stated that it would take strict action against the defaulters of the property tax
The BCC Commissioner M.R. Ravi Kumar has asked the owners having property or properties in the BCC jurisdiction to pay their property taxes for the current financial year 2014-15. Else, action would be taken as per the provisions under Section 112(4) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, which states “if default is made in making payment in accordance with sub-section (3), the person liable to pay the tax shall pay a penalty at the rate of two percent per month of the amount of tax remaining unpaid after the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (3).”
A property owner pointed out that the BCC, which has set up special teams to collect property tax in the city, were threatening of disconnection of water and power supply in case of default.
“This is fair enough as the BCC needs money to take up various development works and spend substantial amount on maintenance, repairs, establishment, etc. But, the BCC officials should first introspect whether they were extending the services properly”, said a person.
“You threaten us of action if we done pay tax, what action will you take against your officials and staff when they draw salaries an enjoy comforts out of tax payers’ money but default in discharging their duties efficiently,” ask the tax payers.
While another tax payer suggested that the BCC facilitate online payment of taxes, which would be highly convenient for many and also help speedy collection of taxes from the property owners.
