Seeking Rs 274 crore in property tax, BBMP raids Manyata Tech Park

Monday was an embarrassing day for the Manyata Tech Park management. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials raided the Manyata Embassy Business Park information centre for non-payment of property tax worth Rs 274 crore.

The Palike’s revenue officials also seized around 23 movable properties.

Led by BBMP Joint Commissioner (Yelahanka zone) Sarfaraz Khan, the team seized furniture, LED television sets, trophies, ornamental accessories among others and pulled down the shutters. It then put up notices outside, asking the management to pay the dues immediately or face stern action.

The BBMP issued a notice to the promoters and owners of Manyata Tech Park on June 9 for non-payment of dues. “The company dragged the BBMP to court over the tax notice. But the court ruled in our favour and permitted us to reclaim the dues. We will wait for some more days. If the management fails to pay up, we will take legal action,” BBMP Assistant Revenue Officer from Byatarayanapura subdivision, Satish Kumar, said.

Manyata Tech Park was to pay property tax at Rs 10 per square foot but pays at Rs 8 per square foot.

“The management claimed that the area falls under the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB). But all the structures inside are centrally air-conditioned. The company must pay property tax at Rs 10 per square foot irrespective of the area it falls under. It must also pay double the penalty,” a revenue official in the BBMP said on the condition of anonymity.

Manyata Tech Park representatives could not be reached for comment. The security guards there, however, maintained that the raid did not affect the functioning of offices located inside.