Jalandhar MC tightens grip over tax defaulters, seizes two buildings

MC HAS COLLECTED ONLY 33% PROPERTY TAX FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015

JALANDHAR: Jalandhar Municipal Corporation on Friday launched the drive to seal the properties of property tax and house tax defaulters and seized two buildings and two shops here.

A strict action has been initiated by the MC against defaulters who have failed to pay the tax despite repeated warnings. The MC team raided the offices and buildings of several tax defaulters and seized two buildings near the bus stand, Jyoti Chowk and two commercial shops at Basti Adda Chowk.

As per the information, the MC has collected only 33% property tax for the year 20142015. Sources in the department said the poor collection was despite the fact that the state government had initiated the entire process of submitting tax hassle-free by replacing the earlier collector rate system. The government has fixed nominal rates for everybody to submit their property taxes, but the department still has failed to find many takers.

After inspection, the civic body had identified 1, 50, 000 properties, but has been able to collect tax from only 50, 000 properties. The amount collected has been Rs 16 crore as against the target of Rs 30 crore.

Maheep Sareen, superintendent of house tax and property tax, said, “The process of filing the proper ty was started in April 2013 and we have decided to seize the properties of defaulters after preliminary warning.”

Sareen said the government had offered 10% rebate to those submitting their tax before February 28 this year, which was extended till March 15 due to poor response. “Despite the rebate given by the government, people haven’t come up to file their taxes. We are left with no other option than to take action against the defaulters,” he said, adding, the MC has seized Naaz Cinema established in a commercial market at Shakti Nagar, and a building at Joyal market near bus stand. “Two shops at Basti Adda Chowk have also been seized.”

The owners of these building had failed to deposit their property tax of around Rs 5 lakh even after the warnings.

“The department had decided to start a drive to seal the properties of defaulters on June 10 this year. But as some associations