The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has fast-tracked its property tax collection by preponing the process by over four months. MBMC’s property tax department has initiated printing and dispatching property tax bills to citizens in the last week of May, which usually comes into effect in August-September.
Stand in staffers from the tax department led by Sudam Godse worked in three shifts and also on holidays to ensure timely completion of the billing process.
The move is aimed at starting collections at an early stage from June and ensure maximum recovery as a major part of funds have been routed to spend on enhancing medical infrastructure to contain the spread of Covid-19.
One of the major revenue generators for the civic treasury, the tax department has projected property tax collections amounting Rs 244 crore for the current fiscal. Last year the target was set at Rs 232 crore.
Despite revenue generation hitting rock bottom due to an economic clump caused by the COVID-19 induced lockdown, the collections gradually increased and the MBMC managed to mop Rs 175 crore and achieve a healthy recovery rate.
However outstanding and penal tax continue to occupy a lion’s share in the civic ledger.
Notably, the collection has witnessed a significant upward trend in the number of citizens opting for online payments to clear their tax dues. More than Rs 42 crore was collected via digital modes of payments including links on the municipal website and mobile application facilitated by the MBMC.
As per statistics, the assessed number of properties in the twin-city is currently pegged at around 3.48 lakh including commercial, industrial and residential units.
