LUDHIANA: The MC has decided to digitise records of TS-1 (no dues) certificates issued to people every year. The new system, PT-1 (property tax – form 1), will help authorities upload everything online, allowing records to be checked with one click. In the past, there have been several complaints of incorrect TS-1 certificates being issued, creating problems.
MC submitted a proposal during a meeting of the technical advisory committee, which approved it. Thereafter, the proposal was sent to the local bodies department for final approval. Once the department approves it, officials will be able to start implementing changes in the system. Currently, people apply for TS-1, and there are manual record registers for properties.
According to the officials, it is not easy to keep a constant check on the register. As the record is manual, they do not know how many times one property has taken a TS-1 certificate. Having a digital record will make it easier to check everything online. Officials will scan the records, which will be uploaded on the system. Officials will be given their login to approve documents digitally.
While the new system is expected to check irregularities in issuance of certificates, it is not clear whether the new house will accept the decision or whether changes will be made.
Confirming the move, MC superintendent Vivek Verma said, “We have got approval from TAC and we will make changes to the system in the coming days. It will streamline the work and people will also find it easy to get their no dues from the MC.”
5,000 take TS-1 every year
According to MC officials, every year, around 5,000 people take TS-1 certificates from the civic body. There are more than 5 lakh properties in the city but not all take TS-1 certificates. Mostly, people get them to maintain their records or to sell their property.
Previous scam
In May, an alleged scam committed by former employees of the MC Zone C house tax branch came to light. The case pertained to a property in Block 15, for which the TS-1 certificate was tampered with by some officers and employees. The matter came to light when a fresh case was made to transfer the property.
