MCB to act tough against defaulters

Bathinda, March 21

The Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) has started door-to-door collection of property tax in the city.

The civic body has made teams that visit different areas for the purpose.

Only those residents who have not paid the tax for 2016-17 are given a chance by the team. They are being told to pay the tax by March 31.

The teams are collecting the tax on the spot from those who have not paid it for the last two or more years.

According to MC officials, strict action will be initiated against the defaulters, which may include sealing of houses or shops.

The power and sewerage connection of defaulters will also be disconnected.

As officials of the MC remained busy with the Assembly elections, the tax was not recovered in December and January.

The drive launched by the MC to seal the properties of the defaulters was stopped ahead of the polls due to alleged political pressure.

The MC collects property tax from 47,454 units — 31,636 residential and 15,818 commercial.

In 2016-17, the MC had set a target to collect Rs 11 crore in property tax but till the first week of February, it collected only Rs 6 crore.

Of the 31,636 residential houses, only 15,181 have paid the tax. Of the 15,818 commercial buildings, only 6,807 have cleared their dues.

The residents, who have not deposited their 2016-17 property tax to date, can pay with 10 per cent penalty till March 31 and from April 1, there will be 20 per cent penalty with 18 per cent interest charge on it. — TNS