In a proactive move to enhance tax collection before the close of the financial year, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has unveiled a set of stringent measures, including the public disclosure of names of significant property tax defaulters and initiation of property seizures.
With a mere 38 days remaining in the fiscal year, the tax collection department is intensifying efforts to recover overdue dues, amounting to Rs 18.5 crores, from property owners who have defaulted on their payments.
The tax collection department of PCMC has adopted unprecedented measures to ensure compliance, including the seizure of over 1000 properties, the disconnection of tap connections from 151 properties, and the sealing of 451 properties as part of an enforcement drive.
In an innovative approach to engage citizens and encourage timely tax payments, the municipality has enlisted the help of social media influencers with substantial followings, organizing a reel competition with rewards for influencers who create compelling content promoting tax compliance.
To expedite the auction process, a proposal has been submitted to auction 24 seized properties, with a decision expected within a week. Additionally, five government valuers have been appointed to determine the valuation of confiscated properties, signaling a concerted effort to streamline the recovery process.
Pradeep Jambhale-Patil, Additional Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, emphasized the urgency for defaulters to fulfill their tax obligations promptly, highlighting the severe consequences, including confiscation and auction, for those who fail to comply.
Assistant Commissioner Nilesh Deshmukh underscored the municipality’s proactive approach, involving pre-seizure notices and repeated outreach efforts through telecalling and SMS reminders. Despite these efforts, defaulters who do not settle their taxes face the prospect of further punitive measures, reaffirming PCMC’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.
