Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a 15-day special drive to bring properties outside the tax net under assessment, reassess around 4,000 apartments and buildings, and recover nearly Rs 80 crore in outstanding property tax dues.The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena on Thursday. PMC has constituted three special teams with separate targets for fresh assessment, reassessment and recovery from major defaulters.“All three teams have been assigned specific targets and have to complete the work within 15 days and submit progress reports,” Meena said.To identify unassessed properties, the civic body is using electricity consumer data. PMC has obtained details of around six lakh electricity consumers from the power utility and is contacting them to verify whether their properties have been assessed for tax. Properties found outside the tax net will be brought under assessment as per rules.The reassessment drive will cover around 4,000 apartments and buildings identified by PMC headquarters. Officials have found cases where flats within the same building were assessed under different road categories, leading to possible discrepancies in tax calculation.Meena directed officials to reassess properties based on actual use, area, road category and other relevant parameters to ensure correct tax assessment.PMC will also scrutinise assessments of major commercial establishments, including malls, private hospitals, banquet halls and market complexes. Town planners and architects will verify tax assessments by comparing actual built-up areas and usage with sanctioned building plans and records.According to PMC data, around 1.5 lakh properties have pending tax dues, including 689 properties with liabilities exceeding Rs 1 lakh. The outstanding amount is estimated at nearly Rs 80 crore.Among the circles, Patliputra has the highest arrears at Rs 18.71 crore, followed by New Capital circle at Rs 17.55 crore and Kankarbagh circle at Rs 13 crore.The recovery team has been asked to contact major defaulters personally and on the phone. PMC has also directed officials to use statutory provisions wherever necessary to recover pending dues.Meena said revenue enhancement should be pursued as a target-driven campaign to ensure that all taxable properties are assessed correctly and outstanding revenue is recovered effectively.
