Tax collection drive yet to gain momentum

However, Corporation raised its tax earning target to ₹343 crore this year from ₹272 crore realised last year

Within a gap of less than 12 months, the Corporation of Madurai has enhanced its tax earnings from ₹272 crore to ₹343 crore as its target for March 2017.

A steep rise in its target by ₹71 crore. How is this possible?

Three aspects

When The Hindu interviewed the revenue officials, they said that the Corporation Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri, Deputy Commissioner S. Shanti and other officers took stock of three broad aspects.

Survey

First, they planned to carry out “100 per cent survey” in wards as many properties (read assessees) had demolished their old structure and rebuilt it.

It came to light that only very few had submitted their building plan and accordingly adhered to revised tax based on the enhanced property in terms of plinth area, while majority of them continued to remit old property tax.

For the survey purpose, one ward was chosen from each of the four zones. Thus, in ward 44 (K.K. Nagar), the survey suggested that old buildings constructed in 70s and 80s were demolished and rebuilt recently.

The enhanced tax earnings from this one ward alone fetched the Corporation ₹1.25 crore.

Likewise, the survey carried out along West Masi Street got an added earnings of ₹97 lakh.

The officials said that the old Madurai (comprising 72 wards has all basic amenities done), while the newly added 28 wards are yet to be provided with all amenities.

Database

Second, going by the TANGEDCO’s database on the commercial and residential connections, the Corporation took a survey and found that at least 11000 of its assessees were remitting property tax under the residential category, while the electricity bills were listed under commercial tariff.

Thus, the assessees agreed and on their cooperation, the Corporation reworked the tax component and brought them into the new assessment, through which the Corporation’s kitty looked up.

Private buildings

Third, many private schools and colleges which were not remitting tax for their properties so far, as many were governed by trusts, have now been roped in to remit tax.

While a number of new assessments had come in and are expected to get more development works done for the ancient city, the Corporation has also planned to expedite litigations in courts.

“We will press for speedy disposal and not allow any more adjournments,” the officials added.

In fact, major defaulters have been served eviction notice and an ultimatum has also been fixed.

In the event of non-cooperation, UGD lines, drinking water connection et al, would be cut as the last resort, a senior officer said.

Though the current fiscal’s target has been set at ₹343 crore, the officials have so far collected around ₹160 crore as on date.

“We hope it is still achievable by March 31,” he added.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has opposed the Corporation’s move to issue eviction notices to persons who failed to remit taxes before March 31.

Instead of focussing on providing basic amenities for the citizens, such announcements would not be tolerated.

The Corporation should collect dues from big sharks and not the harass common man, a release said.