Only 9 lakh people are assessed out of the 40 lakh. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will hire an agency to maintain a complete data
Only 9 lakh people are assessed out of the 40 lakh. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will hire an agency to maintain a complete data
It seems that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) does not know from where the lion's share of its revenues come from and how much of it is still untapped.
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The civic agency gets the majority of its revenues in terms of property tax paid by Delhiites. However, out of the total 40 lakh assesses only 9 lakh pay their property tax.
Standing Committee chairman Ram Kishen Singhal said, "We have asked Commissioner, KS Mehra to come up with a concrete proposal so that tax evaders could be nabbed. Either the MCD will rope in the power discoms or take help of any other agency to find out the real number of properties and bring all the property owners in the tax ambit," said Singhal. When asked why MCD has failed to do it so far, he said: "We do not have adequate staff to undertake such a cumbersome exercise," he added.
MCD Commissioner KS Mehra said, "There were various reasons as to why we failed in identifying the tax payers. But now MCD is coming up with a comprehensive plan to identify them and make them pay tax. MCD has received a report from Survey of India and sought help from resident's welfare associations is also being taken."
He added that engaging the power discoms is also proposed. "Now, we are moving in right earnest," Mehra.
Why people don't pay tax? |
MCD officials say there are various reasons for it. They said lack of political will and interference from the "influential netas" are the main reasons behind it. "Every party kept on ducking the issue just to score browny points over others," said an official, wishing anonymity.u00a0 |
More tax |
Property tax rates in the capital are all set to rise from April 2010. After rejecting the proposal for introducing professional tax, Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) Standing Committee cleared the proposal to hike property tax. |
Rs 135 cr |
Amount collected in property tax till December 31, 2009 |
For more information on property tax log on to www.mcdpropertytax.in