In a bid to enforce property tax compliance, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) conducted the second phase of its auction on Thursday, successfully selling a Kharadi property for ₹18 lakh. The move comes as part of PMC’s concerted efforts to address tax arrears and compel property owners to settle their outstanding debts.
Officials revealed that the decision to auction the Kharadi property was based on a bid that exceeded the selling price by ₹1 lakh. The PMC plans to utilize the proceeds from the auction to clear the outstanding debt and return the surplus amount to the property owner.
This year, PMC initiated the first phase of a comprehensive 32-property auction process, aiming to target property tax defaulters and streamline revenue collection. The ongoing auctions represent a stern stance by the civic body, seeking to hold property owners accountable for unpaid taxes despite prior warnings.
The second phase of the auction, held on Thursday, featured at least 53 properties on the block. PMC’s property tax department officials disclosed that the civic body had identified 1,400 defaulters following a property tax survey. Out of these, 200 properties have been selected for auction as part of PMC’s stringent measures to address the issue.
The decision to auction properties serves as a last resort for PMC, emphasizing the severity of the situation and the importance of settling arrears promptly. PMC’s assertive approach underscores the commitment to uphold fiscal responsibility and maintain financial stability within the municipality.
As PMC continues its crackdown on property tax defaulters, property owners are urged to heed warnings and fulfill their tax obligations to avoid facing similar consequences.
