E-khata holders who got showcause notices get week’s time to file objections

BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has given a second chance to property owners who were issued show-cause notices for tax evasion by not entering the correct measurements of their properties. About 26,000 property owners who had under-reported the size of their properties to evade taxes have been given an opportunity to file objections and make corrections.

The BBMP had initially issued show-cause notices to these property owners, warning them to pay the taxes on the actual size of their properties within 15 days or face penalties, including seizure of their accounts. However, the BBMP has now decided to allow these property owners to correct their mistakes and pay the taxes accordingly.

The BBMP has around 22 lakh properties in its jurisdiction, out of which about five lakh have obtained e-katha (digital property records) and 80 per cent more are yet to receive e-katha. The show-cause notices have been issued to around 26,000 property owners who have obtained e-katha.

The BBMP is encouraging property owners to correct their records and pay the taxes due and is providing an opportunity for them to do so.