Visakhapatnam: In order to improve its revenue potential, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has mobilised its revenue staff to collect the targeted amounts of tax dues. After realising about 90 per cent of the revenue target of Rs 208 crore during last financial year, it has set a goal to achieve property tax collection of Rs 222 crore for this fiscal including the arrears. The civic body has so far collected 67.1 per cent of the target amount at Rs 157 crore in this fiscal. It has received Rs 10 crore towards vacant land tax till now, while it is looking for another Rs 10 crore by the end of March 31, GVMC commissioner M. Hari Narayanan said here on Thursday.
He urged the denizens to come forward and pay the tax before the last date and avoid penalties. The taxes can be paid online, MeeSeva centres, bank counters and even on the app. The vacant land owners should pay a tax of 0.5 per cent of the property’s market value. The last date for paying the vacant land tax, property tax and water tax is December 31. Narayanan has warned of action against those failing to pay on time.
When compared to other states, Andhra Pradesh was ahead in providing online services. Right from building plan approval to occupancy certificate, everything can be obtained online in our state. The property owners residing abroad and other cities should utilise the online tax payment facility, he said. According to the commissioner, the municipality is planning to protect all the water bodies of the city and also working on several beautification projects. All these activities will be completed without any delay if the public pay all the taxes on time.
