DHARWAD: Collection of property tax is a difficult task in local bodies, especially in gram panchayat limits as people tend to take it easy till they are compelled to pay to avail a particular document or benefit from the local body.
Property tax is a major component of revenue for any local body and no development works can be taken up if tax revenue is not generated.
Considering all these factors, Dharwad zilla panchayat which has 146 GPs has launched a ‘Property Tax Collection Fortnight’ from Jan 20 to Feb 3. GP members, panchayat development officers (PDOs) and other staff are visiting the houses of those who have not paid property tax for the last three years and convincing them to pay the dues.
There are 2.9 lakh properties including 2.3 lakh houses in 146 gram panchayat limits. Of them the owners of 1.4 lakh properties have not paid tax for the last three years. There are religious centres, commercial properties and govt buildings and open sites which are in the defaulters’ list.
The GPs have to receive Rs 74.6 crore in the form of property tax. This includes tax dues of Rs 26.1 crore for 2024-2025 and old arrears of Rs 48.5 crore. In 10 months from March 2024 to Dec 2024, officials had collected Rs 3 crore.
“The efforts by the GP staff to collect the dues is yielding results as during the special campaign launched on Jan 20, till Jan 29, 84.5 lakh has been collected,” said ZP deputy secretary BS Muganurmath. He said the target is to collect Rs 6 crore by Feb 3.
Officials have facilitated payment of tax arrears through POS machines and receipt is given to the taxpayer. Dharwad district ranks 19th in property tax collection in the state. “We are trying to improve our district’s position,” Muganurmath said.
