SDMC lays claim to rent from 50 defaulters

Cracking down on property tax defaulters, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation on Tuesday attached rent of 50 properties in Omaxe Square – the upscale official complex in Jasola district centre in South Delhi.

The 50 properties of different owners on second floor of Omaxe Square have been rented out to Wipro.  The officials said 50 property owners collectively owe Rs 19,14,616 in lieu of property tax.

The property tax department has sent a notice to Wipro directing the IT major to pay it the rent till the case is settled.

“We have informed Wipro that rent of the 50 property owners has been attached and they have to pay the due every month to the corporation. The rent has to be paid by seventh of every month through cheque till proportionate dues are paid,” a senior official said.

The official also said Wipro has also been asked to furnish current rent details paid to the property owners and even arrears of rent lying with the company.

The official said Wipro will be liable to act as per the notice.  “The company is liable under section 162 (3) of the DMC Act for non-compliance of the notice. Non-compliance may result in imposition of penalty and recovery of entire dues along with penalty and such charges from the company in possession of the properties,” corporation official said.

Off late, the civic body has been cracking down on property tax defaulters.  Last month, the property tax department froze bank accounts of over 114 owners of commercial and residential properties under its jurisdiction. Owners of Omaxe Square in Jasola were one among them.

The Corporation has collected over Rs 650 crore as property tax this fiscal from the drive.
With the collection of nearly Rs 672 crore till October 5, South Corporation is way ahead of North Delhi Municipal Corporation, which has collected Rs 310 crore during the same period despite having more properties than SDMC.