Palike launches drive against malls, business establishments over property tax evasion

BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), had last week sealed Mantri Mall for property tax dues of Rs 50 crore, but the mall management managed to secure a stay order from a local court.  Now the BBMP has started a drive against other malls over tax evasion, and the shopping malls are approaching courts to secure stay orders against the Palike action. The civic body has issued notices to 6.5 lakh businesses for non-payment of property taxes.

Munish Moudgil, Special Commissioner (Revenue), said the BBMP officials have started a drive against other malls against tax evasion. “The officials are personally visiting the malls and issuing notices for property tax collection. If they do not respond to the notice, movable properties will be seized or the establishments will be sealed. Not only malls, but individuals too who have not paid property tax will also be covered under the drive. Hundreds of crores in property taxes have to be collected from malls. We have information that some mall owners are approaching courts and seeking stay orders”, he said.

The civic body has taken up a drive against property tax defaulters.

“The BBMP is ready for the legal battle over default on property tax dues. We won’t let anyone evade taxes. The BBMP is aiming to collect Rs 2,500 crore in property tax this year. As part of this exercise, BBMP is issuing 50,000 notices directly to the houses. Along with this, notices have been given to about 6 lakh people through SMS and WhatsApp to pay property tax. Officials said that they wouldn’t let anyone evade taxes”, Moudgil said.