MBMC expedites tax collection

Staring at empty coffers, Civic body dispatches property bills 4 months ahead of schedule, begins recovery

In an attempt to replenish its dwindling treasury, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), has fasttracked its property tax collection by preponing the process by over four months.

Usually, MBMC’s property tax department follows the age-old tradition of printing and dispatching property tax bills to citizens in AugustSeptember. However, this year the printing and dispatching process has already been initiated in the last week of May, following stand-in staffers from the tax department staffers led by

Sudam Godse worked in three shifts and also on holidays to ensure timely completion of the billing process.

The move is aimed at starting collections at an early stage from June and to ensure maximum recovery as a major part of funds have been routed to spend on enhancing medical infrastructure to contain the spread of Covid-19. One of the major revenue generators for the civic treasury, the tax department has projected property tax collections amounting to Rs 244 crore for the current fiscal.

Last year the target was set at Rs. 232 crore. Despite revenue generation hitting rock bottom due to an economic slump caused by the pandemic induced lockdown, the collections gradually increased and the MBMC managed to mop Rs. 175 crore and achieve a healthy recovery rate. However, outstanding and penal tax continue to occupy a lion’s share in the civic ledger.

Notably, the collection has witnessed a significant upward trend in the number of citizens opting for online payments to clear their tax dues. More than Rs. 42 crore was collected via digital modes of payments including links on the municipal website and mobile application facilitated by the MBMC. As per statistics, the assessed number of properties in the twin-city is currently pegged at around 3.48 lakh including commercial, industrial and residential units.