Not paid tax? Face the TMC music

Fed up of reminding defaulters to pay tax and still not getting the revenue, the Thane Municipal Corporation has hit upon a solution.

It will now send band musicians in a procession to the defaulter’s house in the hope of shaming him in public. This might put more pressure on the defaulter and force him to pay.

This is the first time the municipal corporation is taking such a step. Right now, the TMC publishes high profile names in the local newspapers.

Intensifying the move, it will now put up the defaulters’ names in public hoardings.

The decision was taken in a recent meeting called by the municipal commissioner over poor collection of taxes.

“Commissioner has also suggested playing a band in front of the house or office of big defaulters. This might shame them and force them to pay the dues. The system will be implemented by the TMC for the first time,” said a TMC official, on condition of anonymity.

The TMC coffers have dried up after the abolition of octroi and local body tax.

“The TMC commissioner has ordered to take action against defaulters. Those who have not paid property and water taxes, too, will face action. The TMC will ask MSEDCL to cut electricity supply of property tax defaulters. The municipal commissioner also directed us to publish the list of defaulters’ names on hoardings,” said the official.

In a bid to meet its target, the TMC has taken a leaf out of Bhiwandi- Nizampur City Municipal Corporation, which had introduced the system in 2002 to shame the defaulters.