CSMC shocked to find 5 lakh untaxed properties in private agency survey

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

In a surprising development, a private surveying agency appointed by the municipal corporation has identified 5 lakh properties (residential and commercial) within the jurisdiction. As reported earlier, 43,548 commercial and 2.75 lakh residential properties in the city are officially recorded with the municipal corporation.

Seeing this figure, even the municipal administration was taken aback. The survey revealed that nearly 1.80 lakh properties are not reflected in the corporation’s records. The administration has decided to rely on the data from the survey conducted by the private company.

For citywide garbage collection, the municipal corporation appointed Western Imaginary Company, a company based in Gujarat. Over the past two to three months, the company carried out a property survey through more than 100 surveyors. The survey recorded how many families live in a building and noted that waste generated by each household would be collected separately. However, during the survey, the entire building was considered as a single property. Despite this, the company conducted a highly accurate survey. According to the company’s findings, the city has 5 lakh properties. These figures have forced the municipal corporation to introspect. The municipal corporation’s own records show 43,548 commercial and 2,75,577 residential properties. Even from these, 100 per cent property tax collection is not achieved every year. The collection rate is only around 40 to 42 per cent.

Double tax on 20,000 properties

Nearly 20,000 properties in the city have been subjected to double taxation by the municipal corporation itself. Property owners approach the corporation requesting that only a single tax be levied, but officials and staff do not respond. Matters are taken to Lok Adalat, and citizens have submitted applications there as well. However, the administration has yet to take a final decision.

No tax on new properties

New residential colonies are rapidly developing around the city. Some property owners voluntarily visit ward offices requesting that property tax be levied on their properties. Even then, concerned staff do not visit the properties. If they do, owners are told that tax will be charged retrospectively for the past five years. On hearing this figure, property owners usually refrain from pursuing the matter further.

Figures will be verified

The deputy commissioner Vikas Navale said, “The figures from the survey conducted by the private company and the property records will be studied. The process of levying tax on properties in new colonies around the city is ongoing.”