Now, private agents to collect property tax for North Corpn

As a move to generate revenue, the cash-starved North Corporation has decided to engage ‘Property Tax Collection Agents’ to bring unassessed buildings under the tax net.

The minimum educational qualification of these agents, who will be hired on contract for two years, is higher secondary.

Senior officials of North Delhi Municipal Corporation said there are over 10 lakh properties under the civic agency, of them only 3.5 buildings pay property tax.

“The scheme is proposed for two years and the civic agency expects to collect property tax from all the buildings under its limits within this period,” a senior official with the North Corporation said.

As per the proposal, “The Property Tax Collection Agents (PTCA) who are conversant with property tax matters will be enrolled for bringing unassessed properties under the tax net.”

Those selected will have to deposit Rs 10,000 as security fee.
“They will be expected to identify the unassessed properties falling under the jurisdiction of the North Corporation and realise property tax along with the arrears,” it added.

These agents will be eligible to get five per cent of the total tax collected by them as remuneration for their work.

“They will be allotted identity cards with enrolment numbers,” the proposal said.
“Any wrong information by the PTCAs will lead to the forfeiture of the security deposit and initiation of criminal proceedings against the person,” the proposal said.

“Also, a PTCA cannot engage any person for his job. The agents won’t be provided with accommodation, furniture or stationery to carry out their job.”

The official said that the list of these agents will be put on the North Corporation’s official website.
“Those interested can download the application form from www.mcdonline.gov.in, and send the filled forms to Assessment and collection department, Civic Centre before March 10,” a circular said.
DH News Service