In a bid to recover property tax arrears amounting to approximately Rs8,500 crore, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has unveiled a special call centre dedicated to this purpose. This initiative marks the first direct interaction between the PMC and small tax defaulters, aiming to bolster revenue collection efforts.
With a target of placing 50,000 calls per month, the PMC’s call centre represents a proactive approach to address property tax defaults. Operating on weekdays and weekends alike, the call centre has been making 1,000 to 1,200 calls daily, underscoring the municipality’s commitment to intensify its recovery drive.
Madhav Jagtap, head of PMC’s property tax department, emphasized the significance of follow-ups from both the head office and ward offices to ensure the effectiveness of the initiative. The administration’s focus is on streamlining the recovery process and minimizing default instances.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential misuse of discounts by habitual defaulters. Vivek Velankar of Sajag Nagrik Manch, a citizen group, emphasized the importance of ensuring that repeat defaulters do not exploit the system repeatedly. Diligent taxpayers expect fairness and transparency in the administration’s efforts to recover outstanding property taxes.
As the PMC strives to achieve its ambitious recovery targets, the establishment of the special call centre signifies a proactive step towards enhancing revenue collection and maintaining fiscal discipline.
