VMC intensifies tax collection drive, cuts water and drainage connections for defaulters

Vijayawada: With the financial year 2025-26 drawing to a close, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) intensified its tax collection drive to achieve 100% revenue collection. As part of the effort, officials began suspending drinking water and underground drainage (UGD) connections to the households of tax defaulters across the city.According to VMC revenue records, a total of Rs 432.3 crore was pending in tax dues, out of Rs 628.75 crore in tax demands, which included arrears demand, current demand, and interest charges.Among the various tax categories, property tax recorded the highest demand and collections. The total demand in this category stood at Rs 233.69 crore, of which Rs 136.70 crore was collected, leaving a balance of Rs 96.99 crore, with the recovery rate at 58.50%.In the vacant sites category, the demand was Rs 262.10 crore, but the collection was relatively low at Rs 15.75 crore, leaving a balance of Rs 246.35 crore. The recovery percentage in this category stood at 6.01%.In water cess, the total demand stood at Rs 69.73 crore. Out of this, Rs 23.07 crore was collected, while Rs 46.67 crore remained pending, reflecting a 33.08% recovery rate. In the sewerage category, the total demand was Rs 42.92 crore, of which Rs 12.99 crore was collected, leaving a balance of Rs 29.93 crore, translating to a 30.26% recovery rate.VMC chief HM Dhyanachandra said the civic body launched special drives across 3 circles to recover arrears of property tax, vacant land tax, water tax, and drainage tax. As part of the drive, officials pasted seizure notices on properties of defaulters in I Town and Bhavanipuram under Circle-1, and in Sitarampuram under Circle-II.In addition, water and drainage connections were disconnected in Ajit Singh Nagar under Circle-II for non-payment of dues.