BBMP’s tax collection like microfinancefirms & ‘meter baddi’: BJP MLAs

Bengaluru: BJP on Thursday criticised the BBMP's property tax collection methods, comparing them to meter baddi (exorbitant interest levied on a daily basis by moneylenders) practices and extortionist methods used by microfinance institutions.They expressed concern over the harassment faced by Bengalureans who were unable to pay even modest amounts of property taxes.During the discussion on budget, CK Ramamurthy, MLA from Jayanagar, highlighted BBMP's aggressive approach, including sealing residences, landing at doorsteps of defaulters and serving tax notices. "The CM has claimed that in the financial year 2024-25, about Rs 4,500 crore has been collected as property tax by BBMP and in the upcoming year, it will be Rs 6,000 crore. IAS officers are coming up with various tactics to penalize the residents, locking their houses and harassing them. They have already locked over 10,000 houses over tax due."He added: "There are instances of officials locking the houses when they fail to pay Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 tax due. Officials are also resorting to auctioning defaulters' their immovable properties."R Ashoka, leader of opposition, criticised BBMP's excessive interest rates. "Nowhere in the world, civic bodies charge double the penalty on defaulters. We have heard about 3-4% penalty charged, but BBMP is charging double the tax due. This kind of practice is unheard of. This is far worse than meter baddi and bigger scam than micro fiancé."