While the BMC is threatening action against citizens for failure to clear their property tax arrears, it has neglected to collect the levy on the municipal commissioner's bungalow in Malabar Hill for the past 14 years. This revelation surfaced when noted activist Anil Galgali submitted an application to the civic body under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Galgali stated, "The tax assessment and collection department of the BMC have initiated stringent measures for property tax recovery. However, they have shown indifference towards collecting the tax arrears amounting to Rs. 4.56 lakhs pending against the municipal commissioner's bungalow. These arrears have remained outstanding for a staggering 14 years."
Galgali filed an RTI application at the commissioner's office on December 29, 2023, seeking information regarding the monthly consumption of electrical units by the commissioner. The application was subsequently redirected by the commissioner's office to the hydraulic department of 'D' ward, under whose jurisdiction the bungalow falls. The hydraulic department then forwarded the application to the assessment and collection department.
The requested information was finally provided to Galgali recently, revealing an outstanding amount of Rs. 4.56 lakhs. He also uncovered that the bungalow's water connection lacked a meter, despite mandatory requirements for metered connections.
