Action mode on, Amrtisar civic body seals 24 properties of defaulters

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 14

Twenty four properties of tax defaulters were sealed by the property tax wing of the Municipal Corporation (MC) on the third consecutive day of the sealing drive on Thursday.

Property tax

The sealing drive will continue in the city. We have data of all commercial and residential properties. Every resident, who owns a taxable property, has to pay property tax. We are focusing on commercial establishment as they contribute more to tax, but small units will also face same action. — Daljit Singh, Nodal officer for property tax

Targeting major commercial establishments, the MC sealed an office of the nationalised bank, two mobile towers, two hotels, a chicken factory and brand showrooms.

Soon after sealing of properties, several owners approached the MC and deposited their dues on the spot. Ten property owners paid outstanding tax dues after which the MC opened seals of their properties in the evening today. Similarly, eight owners, whose properties were sealed yesterday, cleared their dues.

After initiating the sealing drive, the MC has witnessed a significant rise in tax recovery. The MC has collected Rs76 lakh from property tax defaulters.

Daljit Singh, nodal officer for property tax, said they had issued 14,000 notices to defaulting property owners in the city. Many property owners had already paid their tax dues, he added. Still, there were a large number of property owners, who were reluctant to pay their tax, he said. “The sealing drive will continue in the city. We have data of all commercial and residential properties. Every resident, who owns a taxable property, has to pay property tax. We are focusing on commercial establishment as they contribute more to tax, but small units will also face same action,” he added.

Meanwhile, MC officials have received a tip-off about a few owners, who have broken seals of their properties. A case would be registered against the owner if he/she breaks seal of the property without clearing property tax dues, said civic body officials.