BBMP collects Rs 2,000 crore in property tax, revenue officers to be given targets

BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, which is using Total Station Survey through drones, has found that about 30-35 commercial properties on Airport Road had declared false information regarding dimesion, built-up area among others. About 100 properties were surveyed in a 1-km stretch on that road.

In the East zone, the civic body has surveyed 1,508 properties, in the West zone, 1,688, South 1,366, Yelahanka 422, Mahadevapura 576, RR Nagar 560 and Dasarahalli zone, 212 properties, totalling 6,815 properties.

Under the BBMP limits, there are 6,815 major properties like tech parks, malls, industries and mega residential complexes. Of these, property IDs (PID) have been given to 5,118 buildings and 1,697 are yet to be allotted PIDs.

These properties will be measured using Total Station Survey and if the earlier measurements are wrong and the builders have paid less tax, they will be made to pay up hefty penalties.

Meanwhile, BBMP Special Commissioner Deepak said that so far, they have collected Rs 2,093 crore in property tax which is double of last year’s collection. On the tax dues from malls, he said there are 44 malls in the city and Rs 46 crore is due from eight malls.

He noted that courts have suggested not to close down malls repeatedly as it will create problems and they have already suffered losses during the Covid-induced lockdowns.

The special commissioner also said that revenue officers and assistant revenue officers will be given monthly targets to collect taxes in commercial areas. Based on their performance, they will be eligible for promotions, bonuses, etc. Non-performing officials will be transferred and will have to face fines.

On hoardings, he said the chief commissioner himself has directed all joint commissioners to remove all hoardings. Those who put up flexes and banners will themselves be made to pay up the cost of removing them. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, it is better that the government uses boards and a detailed discussion on this will be held, he added.