Pune: PMC Unable to Identify Property Tax Defaulters Owing Rs 50 Lakh or More Despite Rs 15,000 Crore Arrears
Pune, 20th June 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which is grappling with property tax arrears exceeding ₹15,000 crore, has admitted that it does not currently have readily available information on major defaulters who owe ₹50 lakh or more in property tax.
The disclosure came in response to a question raised by corporator Harshvardhan Mankar during the general body meeting. Mankar sought details of taxpayers who defaulted on property tax payments of ₹50 lakh or more during the financial years 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27, along with information on notices issued, recovery measures undertaken, and the amount collected from such defaulters.
In its written reply, the PMC’s Tax Assessment and Collection Department stated that the information is extensive and is currently being compiled. The administration said the details would be provided separately after collection and verification.
According to the response, the information to be furnished will include the names of major defaulters, notice numbers, dates of notices, outstanding tax amounts, and details of action taken against them. The civic administration also admitted that data on the amount recovered after issuing notices, as well as revenue collected through penalties and interest, is not presently available and will be shared later.
The issue has raised questions about the corporation’s ability to monitor and recover large-scale tax dues at a time when property tax remains one of its key sources of revenue.
The administration, however, maintained that action against major defaulters is underway and informed the House that 252 properties across the city have been sealed as part of recovery efforts. However, no details were provided regarding the identities of the property owners, the amount recovered from them, or the status of further action following the sealing process.
The development has drawn criticism, with questions being raised over why detailed information on large defaulters is unavailable while ordinary citizens continue to receive regular reminders and recovery notices for property tax payments.
PMC has issued more than 15 lakh property tax bills across the city. So far, nearly six lakh property owners have paid their dues, indicating that approximately nine lakh property holders still have pending tax liabilities.
Critics have also pointed out that several large defaulters repeatedly take advantage of tax amnesty schemes to clear their dues temporarily, only to default again later. This has led to demands for stronger and more consistent action against habitual tax defaulters to improve the corporation’s revenue collection.
