The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has freezed bank accounts of 10 property tax defaulters for non-payment despite repeated requests. Among the ten major defaulters were included well-known developers, industrial units, housing societies, and individuals. The civic chief has warned that similar action will be taken if property tax is not paid.
The property tax collection severely affected due to the COVID pandemic. In order to encourage citizens and also to provide some relief, the civic administration had launched Abhay Yojana wherein tax defaulters’ 75% penalty will be waived off if they make the payment between December 15 and February 15. However, the defaulters will have to pay the property tax one ago, without any installment.
“The civic body had noticed that properties with heavy arrears are escaping the payment which will attract legal action,” said the official. He added that there are some good industrial units who made the payment in the first week of the scheme and availed benefits.
A shopping complex in Belapur, a construction company in Turbhe and Vashi, industrial unit in Ghansoli, housing societies in Koparkhairane, and individuals faced the action. However, a construction company and a shipping company were let off after they made an immediate payment of Rs 2.66 crores and Rs4.6 lakh respectively.
Meanwhile, the civic body collected Rs 314 crores property tax till January 10 while budget estimation is Rs 630 crores for 2020-21. The civic body collected a record of Rs 155 crores in December 2020 which is higher than last year.
Under the Abhay Yojana, the civic body collected Rs 26 crores property tax in one month. The civic body has given two months period to take benefits of the scheme which began on December 15 and ends on February 15.
Property tax is one of the major resources of revenue of NMMC, and for the financial year 2020-21, it has estimated to receive Rs 630 crores from it.
“Due to pandemic, the collection of property tax severely affected and many of the residents are going through financial difficulties. The scheme will certainly bring some relief for them,” said civic chief Abhijit Bangar. He added that the scheme will also help the civic body to get revenue. However, he warned that the civic body will take legal action against defaulters who do not pay during the scheme period.
