Book owners cheating on property taxes, George tells BBMP

 Expressing concern over poor property tax collection, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George on Thursday wondered why the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike was not booking cases against people who have cheated the government by undervaluing their properties.

Addressing a gathering at the launch of a single-window system to award contracts for 600 works, George cited the Economic Survey which showed that the Palike generates just 25% of its potential earnings.

In the previous financial year, the tax collection was Rs 1,650 crore, which is up by Rs 420 crore this year. “The increase in tax collection is not proportionate to the hike in property tax effected in April 2016. The Palike’s property tax collection should have been Rs 3,000 crore,” opined George.

The number of properties in the Palike’s records increased from 12 lakh to 16 lakh, yet the tax collection has not shown a proportionate increase, he pointed out. The minister suggested that the Palike rope in Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) students to assess the undervalued properties and make the owners pay up.

The minister told reporters that there were no obstacles to BBMP’s drive against stormwater drain encroachments. He said the Palike should carry out the drive before the monsoon.