BENGALURU: To put a full stop to property tax evasion and boost collections, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has started digitization of over 40 lakh properties in the city.
According to senior officials from BBMP’s revenue department, they have already started digitization of property documents in four wards — Kodigehalli, CV Raman Nagar, Horamavu, and Arakere — and will complete it for all the wards within three months.
Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar had recently expressed unhappiness over property tax collection in BBMP limits and said that his government would introduce ‘Nanna Swathu’ (My Property), which envisages digitization of all properties. Following Shivakumar’s instructions, BBMP’s revenue officials duly started the process.
“Revenue officials are scanning all the documents related to each property to digitize them. The digitization of documents will put out the exact details of the property online to avoid misrepresentations,” an officer explained.
The civic agency is hoping the move will help see an increase in tax collection. At present, BBMP collects property tax of Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore a year.
BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath told reporters on Monday that revenue officials are sending reminders to tax defaulters, who will have to pay a penalty if they fail to pay up before November 30.
BBMP special commissioner (revenue) Munish Moudgil said property tax is the primary source of revenue for the corporation and property owners should pay their taxes promptly.
“The BBMP is sending SMS and letters/notices to individuals with details of property tax dues. Citizens can use the online link https://bbmptax.karnataka.gov.in for easy payment of property tax,” Moudgil pointed out.
Call Palike for queries
Citizens can call BBMP’s helpline (1533) if they have any questions. Giri Nath said revenue officials have been deployed at the help desk to clear any doubts regarding property tax issues.
