Chandigarh: After months of persistent follow-ups, notices, and negotiations, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has finally cleared a major chunk of its long-standing property tax dues. In a landmark move, PGI deposited Rs 10.28 crore to the Chandigarh municipal corporation, the highest single payment made by any government or private entity to the civic body in the current financial year.The payment follows a detailed reconciliation process between PGI and MC officials, involving multiple meetings, document exchanges, and field visits. The total arrears calculated stood at Rs 24 crore, of which PGI has now paid nearly half.According to MC records, several key government institutions still owe the civic body over Rs 100 crore in property tax and service charges. Among the top defaulters are Panjab University (Rs 60 crore), the engineering department of Chandigarh administration (Rs 17 crore), and Chandigarh Railway Station (Rs 3 crore). The Chandigarh Golf Club also features on the list with significant dues.These entities failed to clear their dues during the April–May rebate period and now face a 25% penalty on the total amount, along with 12% annual interest. The MC has already revised the tax figures to include these charges.Meanwhile, the MC has collected over Rs 75 crore so far this financial year — Rs 48 crore from commercial properties and Rs 27 crore from residential ones. Over 850 notices have been issued to residential defaulters (Rs 11 crore dues), and 600+ notices to commercial defaulters (Rs 6.5 crore dues).**Box: Some of the top govt tax defaulters in MC’s record.**Government Entity—————————–Tax arrears (amount approximate) 1: Panjab University————————-68.85 crore 2: PGI——————————————-14.00 crore 3: Chandigarh administration————16.26 crore 5: Chandigarh Railway Station———-2.98 crore MSID:: 122818584 413 |
