<p>Hubballi: After drawing criticism for its financial crunch, which hit its ability to clear the bills of contractors or undertake road repair in twin cities, the Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has expedited the Geographic Information System (GIS) survey efforts aiming to double its property tax revenue.</p><p>Thus, the HDMC general body meeting usually held at the end of the month, is advanced this time to February 17, to discuss the survey and seek approval for the tenders. The 3D GIS survey to accurately identify properties, rectify errors and bring all properties under tax net, was a long </p><p>pending demand. The time seems to be ripe now as the HDMC has already stepped up the tender process zone-wise putting a cap of Rs 2 crore to accomplish the survey. </p><p>Thus, soon after opening the technical and financial bids for zone-wise GSI survey, the HDMC general body meeting is also called without waiting for the month-end.</p><p>Officials had been working on the modalities of the GIS survey for a coupe of months under the pressure to tap the civic body’s potential of increasing property tax revenue which is currently Rs 141 crore, with 3.39 lakh properties. If the GIS survey with 3D mapping of all properties along with an aerial survey is completed, it will help develop an integrated property tax management system, increasing the tax revenue drastically. Therefore, on a quick mode, the HDMC called tenders. After negotiation with bidders and verification, the HDMC’s tender scrutiny committee has placed the subject before the general body which will take them up on February 17.</p><p><strong>Rs 23.50 cr cost</strong></p><p>As per the proposal, the eligible bidders (L1) include Genesys International Corporation Limited which has quoted Rs 1.95 crore each for 11 zones, and RSI Softech India Private Limited which has quoted Rs 1.96 crore for one zone, against 1.98 crore put as the tender amount for each zone. This brings the cost of GIS survey of all 12 zones in the twin cities to Rs 23.51 crore.</p><p>“Once if we spend this amount for the highly advanced and accurate survey, we can get up to Rs 400 core property tax revenue every year. Mainly to speed up this process, the general body meeting has been called in advance this time. However, other pending issues will also be discussed in the meeting. We will try to pass it after discussion, so that work orders can be issued fast,” said Leader of House in HDMC Veeranna Savadi.</p><p>According to HDMC Additional Commissioner Vijaykumar R, work orders are likely to be issued by this month-end, once the HDMC general body gives approval, and 15 months of time would be given to the companies to complete the survey.</p><p>“GIS survey is a major reason for holding the GB meeting early this time, along with other subjects, while budget meeting is also likely to take place this month-end,” said HDMC Commissioner Rudresh Ghali.</p>
<p>Hubballi: After drawing criticism for its financial crunch, which hit its ability to clear the bills of contractors or undertake road repair in twin cities, the Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has expedited the Geographic Information System (GIS) survey efforts aiming to double its property tax revenue.</p><p>Thus, the HDMC general body meeting usually held at the end of the month, is advanced this time to February 17, to discuss the survey and seek approval for the tenders. The 3D GIS survey to accurately identify properties, rectify errors and bring all properties under tax net, was a long </p><p>pending demand. The time seems to be ripe now as the HDMC has already stepped up the tender process zone-wise putting a cap of Rs 2 crore to accomplish the survey. </p><p>Thus, soon after opening the technical and financial bids for zone-wise GSI survey, the HDMC general body meeting is also called without waiting for the month-end.</p><p>Officials had been working on the modalities of the GIS survey for a coupe of months under the pressure to tap the civic body’s potential of increasing property tax revenue which is currently Rs 141 crore, with 3.39 lakh properties. If the GIS survey with 3D mapping of all properties along with an aerial survey is completed, it will help develop an integrated property tax management system, increasing the tax revenue drastically. Therefore, on a quick mode, the HDMC called tenders. After negotiation with bidders and verification, the HDMC’s tender scrutiny committee has placed the subject before the general body which will take them up on February 17.</p><p><strong>Rs 23.50 cr cost</strong></p><p>As per the proposal, the eligible bidders (L1) include Genesys International Corporation Limited which has quoted Rs 1.95 crore each for 11 zones, and RSI Softech India Private Limited which has quoted Rs 1.96 crore for one zone, against 1.98 crore put as the tender amount for each zone. This brings the cost of GIS survey of all 12 zones in the twin cities to Rs 23.51 crore.</p><p>“Once if we spend this amount for the highly advanced and accurate survey, we can get up to Rs 400 core property tax revenue every year. Mainly to speed up this process, the general body meeting has been called in advance this time. However, other pending issues will also be discussed in the meeting. We will try to pass it after discussion, so that work orders can be issued fast,” said Leader of House in HDMC Veeranna Savadi.</p><p>According to HDMC Additional Commissioner Vijaykumar R, work orders are likely to be issued by this month-end, once the HDMC general body gives approval, and 15 months of time would be given to the companies to complete the survey.</p><p>“GIS survey is a major reason for holding the GB meeting early this time, along with other subjects, while budget meeting is also likely to take place this month-end,” said HDMC Commissioner Rudresh Ghali.</p>