Property and water taxes collection hits Rs 232 crore

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Through property tax and water tax, the municipal corporation successfully collected Rs 232 crore by the evening of March 31. This marks the highest-ever collection in the history of the corporation. The record achievement in the financial year 2025–26 is credited to meticulous planning of collections by municipal commissioner G Sreekanth. The administration has expressed its intention to achieve even higher collections in the new financial year starting April 1.

A dedicated collection cell, ‘Maitra Kaksh’, was set up for property tax recovery. Collection officers were assigned specific properties along with tablets equipped with the ‘Shreemitra App’ to track collections efficiently. Deputy Commissioner Vikas Navale conducted regular reviews of each zone, resolving officer and staff issues. Properties with outstanding dues were sealed, and the administration took a firm stance, filing cases against those who reopened sealed properties. Online facilities were also made available for citizens to pay property tax from home.

Offices operated throughout March-end

In anticipation of March-end, property tax concessions of 95 per cent initially, followed by 75 pc, were offered. This led to over Rs 150 crore being deposited in the municipal corporation treasury. All zone offices remained open throughout March 31, with citizens arriving late into the night to make payments. By late evening, Rs 210.82 crore had been collected through property tax, and Rs 22.14 crore via water charges. Deputy Commissioner Navale indicated that total collections were expected to reach Rs 235 crore by the following morning.

Rs 13 crore collected by estate section

The municipal estate section also set a new collection record this year. Rent from 488 shops, halls, and leased lands generated Rs 13.10 crore. Deputy Commissioner Aparna Thete and assistant commissioner Sanjay Chamle renewed rental agreements for civic properties and revised rent rates using the ready reckoner, which maximised revenue. By comparison, the department had earned Rs 11 crore in the previous year.