The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) office.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Despite a government order restoring a Rs 100-crore property to the Chickpet Government School two years ago, the BBMP has refused to register it until outstanding tax dues of Rs 14.35 crore are cleared.
Established during the pre-independence era, the school’s ownership is supposed to be registered under the Department of School Education.
In 2022, the Revenue Department ordered all commercial activities to vacate the school premises. Following these directions, the tahsildar of Bengaluru North taluk submitted a request to the BBMP for property registration.
However, after two years of inaction, the BBMP has now returned the file, citing unpaid tax dues.
The school, located on OTC Road, Chickpet, sits on 13,735 sqft of donated land.
In 1979, dilapidated classrooms were demolished and rebuilt. Later, a private company proposed constructing a commercial complex on the ground and first floors. The government approved the request, signing a 26-year lease at Rs 16,350 per month.
In 2011, a new agreement was made with the Tenants’ Welfare Association, but it expired in June 2021.
Following a request from the association, the then Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner suggested auctioning the 141 shops within the school premises.
However, after media reports surfaced, the Revenue Department halted the process and ordered its cancellation.
Interestingly, the BBMP has not collected property tax on the premises since 2008, raising questions about its sudden insistence on the dues now.