Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In a decisive move, the Municipal Corporation sealed the Agricultural Produce Market Committee's (APMC) office in Jadhavwadi on Saturday over unpaid property tax amounting to Rs 10.32 crore. The crackdown came after a court ruling favoured the civic body, reinforcing its right to recover the dues.
Municipal officials, acting under the orders of Administrator G. Sreekant and the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Aparna Thete, arrived at the APMC premises early in the morning. As soon as the office opened, the team, led by Zone 5 Assistant Commissioner Prajakta Wanjari and Tax Superintendent Sachin Soni, executed the sealing. Officials Mukund Bangar, Vijay Dabhade, Tukaram Dudhe, Azim Khan Imtiyaz, and the civic action team assisted in the operation.
Repeated notices ignored, court ruling enforced
For months, the Municipal Corporation had pursued the recovery of pending taxes. Despite multiple notices, the market committee failed to comply, opting instead to challenge the matter in court. However, the legal battle ended in favor of the civic body. When the dues remained unpaid despite the ruling, authorities took stringent action.
Outstanding Dues Breakdown:
Vacant land property tax: Rs 6.62 crore
Sale Halls 1 & 2: Rs 1.27 crore
Sale Hall 3 (Common Shed): Rs 80.67 lakh
Sale Hall 4 (Common Shed): Rs 80.67 lakh
Sale Hall 5 (Common Shed): Rs 80.67 lakh
Total: Rs 10.32 crore
Market committee cries foul, plans legal action
The Market Committee has strongly opposed the sealing, arguing that the property tax on sale halls is unjustified. Committee Chairman Radhakishan Pathade condemned the action, calling it arbitrary.
"We respect the court’s order, but why such haste? We don’t even own open land, so why are we being taxed for it?" Pathade questioned in a press conference. He confirmed plans to escalate the matter to the Chief Minister and approach the Supreme Court.
Other committee members, including Ramrao Shalke, Kanhaiyalal Jaiswal, Kirtishahi, and Secretary Shirsat, accused the Municipal Corporation of using pressure tactics. Pathade alleged that the civic body’s real motive was to coerce the committee into transferring land for a Smart City bus depot—a disputed project already under judicial review.
Photo Caption:
Municipal Corporation’s Zone Officer Prajakta Wanjari and Tax Superintendent Sachin Soni seal the Market Committee office on Saturday over Rs 10 crore in outstanding property tax.