Despite backlash, BBMP unlikely to take back 31,000 property tax notices

Bengaluru: Despite facing public backlash, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is not in a mood to withdraw about 31,000 property tax notices issued so far.

The civic body says recipients can raise objections or appeals through its new web portal without visiting its offices.

The Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP) has slammed the BBMP, calling the notices contrary to Supreme Court judgments and provisions of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA).

Munish Moudgil, BBMP's Special Commissioner, said the notices were issued after comparing the property area in the sale deed with the area for which tax has been paid.

“The notices we sent contain details of how and why the tax evasion demand has been calculated. There is an online option to file objections and appeals. This is the most transparent and citizen-friendly system,” he said, adding that earlier notices were issued by field staff and there was no online system to object.

Venkatachalam Subramaniam, BNP leader from Varthur, said the E-Nyaya site provided for responses is not working. “Many AROs are refusing to receive the response by hand. This is yet another display of the misgovernance in the BBMP,” he said.

The party said the notices have caused stress and confusion among citizens, besides creating an unwarranted financial burden.

"In most apartment communities, the sale deeds clearly mention that the owners only have the exclusive right to use their designated spaces, and do not confer ownership. These parking areas are part of the common areas, which in turn are included in the super built-up area, on which citizens are already paying full tax,” said Srikanth Narasimhan, Founder of BNP, urging the BBMP to withdraw the notices.