PCMC meets 35% realty tax target

PIMPRI CHINCHWAD: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has met 35% of its property tax target in the first three months of the 2023-24 fiscal.So far, it has recovered Rs350 crore and aims to collect Rs1,000 crore by the end of the financial year. The door-to-door delivery of property tax bills, inclusion of new properties, and updated information about existing properties have worked in favour of the civic body, said an official.Property owners will get a discount of at least 10% and a maximum of 20% if they pay the entire property tax by June 30. So far, 2.52 lakh property owners have availed the benefits of various tax concessions. Nilesh Deshmukh, the head of the property tax department, said that attachment action against defaulters will commence from July 1. Deshmukh said, "If the tax is not paid within the prescribed period, a late fee of 2 percent per month will be levied as per the provisions of the law. This late fee keeps on increasing daily. So, tax arrears ultimately lead to financial loss for property owners."He added that the PCMC is working on creating awareness among citizens regarding tax dues. Due to this campaign 1,598 people with arrears have partially paid Rs11 crore, while 2,524 people have made a full payment of Rs27 crore. Out of 39,138 defaulters, who have been served attachment notices, 4,122 have paid taxes.PCMC commissioner Shekhar Singh said, "The attachment action from July 1 has been meticulously planned. An attachment squad has been formed from two to three zones. It has been ordered to initiate action in respect of all confiscated properties in the next three months. Citizens should cooperate with the civic administration by paying their taxes by June 30."