Palike to rope in BArch students to assess properties

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will rope in the final year architecture students of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) to assess the properties of those who have undervalued them to reduce their property tax liability.

With only three months left for the end of financial year, the Palike has so far earned about Rs 1,000 crore as property tax against the target of Rs 1,800 crore. The local body is leaving no stone unturned to boost its revenue this time.

Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy told reporters that the proposal to avail the services of students came from H Maheshappa, the Vice-Chancellor of VTU. “The VC proposed that the Palike will give the varsity or its affiliate colleges 1.5 per cent to two per cent of the amount generated in excess of last year’s revenue of about Rs 1,200 crore,” the Mayor said. Murthy said students were assigned for assessment of the buildings in Belgaum and New Delhi and the results were quite encouraging.

He said the proposal has been brought to the notice of the Palike commissioner and a meeting would be conducted soon to take it further. The students will be assigned some roads to assess the value of the properties in consultation with the property owners.

Finding fault with this year’s bulky budget, Mayor said he would ensure a ‘realistic’ budget this year. “What is the use of having a bulky budget of Rs 10,000 crore when we are not able to execute works of Rs 5,000 crore? This has been going on for the last three years. It is the wrong precedent set during the three years of administrator’s rule,” he said.