Taking all steps to make tax defaulters fall in line: Mayor Gangambike

Bengaluru: With the proposed hike in property tax being put on hold, the BBMP is aiming to augment its property tax collection. All the eight zonal commissioners have been directed to focus on improving revenue collection.

Mayor Gangambike, in her recent video-conferencing with the joint commissioners, directed all of them to take steps to make defaulters fall in line. She said that she will hold a video-conference every week and review the progress in revenue collection. She said that she also wants a break-up of the tax collected – from residential, commercial to A and B Khata properties. Ms Gangambike said that officials have all the freedom to use powers, including taking possession of movable assets, to make defaulters pay.

“Compared to previous years, we have been improving. But we have been given directions to take steps to make defaulters pay. We have been asked to identify major defaulters in the area and follow up with them regularly. Only when we regularly follow up with defaulters will they pay a part of the property tax,” a BBMP official said.

“We will soon start naming and shaming top defaulters so that they are embarrassed and pay their pending property taxes,” he said. All the officials have been directed to use total station survey to find out if a property owner has given the real built-up area.