KALABURAGI: Rural development minister Priyank Kharge achieved unprecedented success in property tax collection from gram panchayats in his home district, amassing Rs 23 crore in 2024-25 through systematic assessment and rigorous collection measures.
The district comprises 261 gram panchayats under the rural development panchayat raj department. Previously, annual tax collections averaged around Rs 10-11 crore, with Rs 11 crore being the highest. This year’s collection of Rs 23 crore marks a significant milestone.
The tax demand in gram panchayats, which previously stood at Rs 13 crore, escalated to Rs 36.6 crore, following the initial property survey and valuation exercise.
Several stringent measures contributed to increased collections, including property tax assessment, registration in Panchatantra-2, notice issuance to defaulters, tax payment drives, and assigning collection responsibilities to PDOs and bill collectors. Additionally, public access to Panchatantra-2 and POS machines in every village panchayat facilitated collections.
Major industrial units, including cement and sugar factories, which previously underpaid taxes, have now been properly assessed and notified for outstanding dues. Significant collections include Rs 2.50 crore from Rajshree Cement, Rs 1 crore from Ultratech Cement Factory, and Rs 70 lakh each from Renaka Sugars, KPR, and NSL factory.
The panchayat raj department intensified pressure on non-compliant factories. Property reassessment in panchayats led to increased tax bases, followed by stringent collection measures.
Speaking to TOI, Kalaburagi ZP CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena stated: “We gave responsibility to PDOs and Bill Collectors and followed up. We are giving notice to those who do not pay tax. This is a tax collection that could never happen this time.”
