Govt. offices continue to default on civic taxes

Private property owners pay over 65% tax so far this fiscal

Even as a majority of individuals and private organisations have been paying taxes to the civic body, the Central and the State government organisations continue to remain the biggest defaulters for years.

The civic body so far collected about ₹70 crore against taxes in the current fiscal year and registered a growth in tax collection by running campaigns drawing the attention of the taxpayers and making them pay the dues, particularly the vacant land tax.

₹181 crore demand

According to Deputy Commissioner (revenue) G. Subba Rao, the property tax demand for the current fiscal year is over ₹181 crore and ₹51 crore of it, including interest, is to be paid by the State and the Central government organisations.

On the other hand, property tax to the tune of ₹19 crore is to be recovered from the owners of properties which are under litigation.

Of the remaining ₹111 crore, more than 65% has been paid by the taxpayers as on January 20.

Pleas go in vain

The civic body has several times requested the government offices to pay the dues but there has been no response.

Mr. Rao said the government organisations were awaiting release of funds from their respective departments and, over a period of years, the interest on tax arrears grew.

Dues of Railways

The railways began responding and paid ₹10 lakh out of ₹18 crore dues recently and the officials concerned had promised to pay the remaining taxes gradually, Mr. Rao said.

Even as the civic body is struggling with lack of funds, the delay in payment of bills by the State government for the Krishna Pushkaram work executed by the civic body is adding to its woes.

The municipal corporation has two months more to collect the pending taxes and the revenue wing officials are gearing up for special tax collection campaigns.