Pune: PMC Uses Music Band to Recover Rs 11.19 Crore in Property Tax Arrears

Pune, 6th December 2024: In an innovative move to recover property tax arrears, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been playing a music band in front of defaulters’ properties for the past four days. The band has been played in front of 150 properties, resulting in a recovery of Rs 11.19 crore. Additionally, 23 properties have been sealed.

The Taxation and Tax Collection Department is primarily responsible for increasing PMC’s revenue. As the PMC’s expenditures rise, the property tax collection target is also being increased each year in the budget. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the budget has set a target of collecting Rs 2,700 crore in property tax.

From 1st April to 5th December, out of 14.80 lakh properties, 8.73 lakh properties have paid Rs 1,802 crore in taxes. With three months remaining in the current financial year, the Taxation and Tax Collection Department now faces the challenge of collecting an additional Rs 900 crore.

It is essential to recover the maximum amount within the next three months. The arrears for many commercial buildings, warehouses, offices, and residential properties total around Rs 4,500 crore, with some cases still pending in court. Additionally, efforts are being focused on recovering arrears from other properties, said Deputy Municipal Commissioner Madhav Jagtap.

The Taxation and Tax Collection Department has formed a band team to collect taxes from defaulters within the limits of 15 ward offices. The team includes musicians and PMC employees. In just four days, 154 property owners have deposited Rs 11.19 crore with PMC. Meanwhile, fearing further action, citizens have voluntarily paid Rs 20 crore during this period, Jagtap added.