The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has sought electricity consumers data from the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) to update its property register and widen the property tax net.
This was disclosed by Mayor B.L. Byrappa at an interaction on property tax conducted by the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) here on Sunday.
The Mayor said though the consumers may default on payment of property tax, they are prompt in payment of electricity charges as it results in disconnection.
Hence the MCC will seek the list of CESC consumers to update its property registry.
The details would be matched and collated and the MCC will zero in on such individuals who are habitual defaulters or those who are outside the property tax net and help augment revenue.
“We have written to the government to authorise disconnection of water and power for those who default in payment of property tax,” said Mr. Byrappa
The Mayor said most of the owners are prompt in paying tax and the MCC had achieved 85 per cent of its projected or targeted revenue under this head.
With regard to online calculation of the property tax which was not functioning, the Mayor said the calculator was updated and it was functional. Due to faulty calculator a majority of the tax payers make use of private agents who calculate the amount on payment of a nominal sum.
But the MCC’s proposal to introduce online payment of property tax has hit a road block.
The Mayor said the MCC took the initiative and got the software developed through a private firm but the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) blocked it and said it will develop the software and facilitate the introduction of the online payment system. However, no timeframe has been set.
Citizens also sought simplification of the tax calculation as the present format was reckoned to be confusing and difficult. The citizens also aired the view that senior citizens should be given concessions on property tax.
On the transfer of 62 layouts from MUDA to the MCC, the Mayor pointed out that in many layouts there was no provision for solid waste management facility, open parks and playgrounds.
Mr. Byrappa said that the MCC had sanctioned 40 new libraries for the city and would come up in wards which did not have a public library. This was in response to a question on collection of library cess but not providing any facility. In addition, a mobile library has also been pressed into service, he added.
MGP president R. Chandraprakash was present.
