One Time Settlement scheme to finish on Nov 30, BBMP but to gather over ₹550 crore property tax dues

Underneath the OTS scheme, property tax defaulters will pay pending dues with none curiosity and penalty. In lots of instances, penalty and compounding curiosity put collectively runs into crores. 
| Picture Credit score: MURALI KUMAR Okay

About 2 lakh tax defaulters have availed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for fee of property tax, which shall be ending on November 30. 

A senior BBMP official speaking to The Hindu mentioned about 3.95 lakh persons are on the checklist of tax defaulters and the response was beneath the expectation of the BBMP.

Underneath this scheme, the defaulters will pay the pending dues with none curiosity and penalty. In lots of instances, penalty and compounding curiosity put collectively runs into crores.

BBMP Particular Commissioner (Income) Munish Moudgil mentioned up to now, the civic physique has collected about ₹670 crore and about ₹550 crore continues to be pending. Mr. Moudgil mentioned whereas greater than half of the overall pending tax has been paid by the defaulters, the BBMP has not reached its goal. He mentioned previous few days have additionally seen a lull when it comes to funds and individuals who need to keep away from penalties have to finish the fee on Saturday. 

A number of extensions

Launched in February, the OTS scheme supplies vital aid by waiving compounding curiosity on arrears and lowering penalties by 50%. Initially set to run out in July, the scheme was first prolonged to the top of September. Later, on demand, it was once more prolonged to November 30. To spice up assortment, the BBMP had additionally carried out door-to-door visits educating the defaulters and others in regards to the scheme.

A number of tax defaulters to whom The Hindu spoke, claimed that there are some errors in calculation and the BBMP officers haven’t been responsive. “The BBMP has to increase the deadline for an additional 15 days and resolve the issues of defaulters who’re keen settle the dues,” one property proprietor mentioned.