26 February,2020 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta Kasale
BMC officials seen with one of the seized choppers
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday seized two helicopters of Mesco Aerospace and cut the water supply of a tower, Wadhwa Trade Centre in Kalina, to recover Rs 1.95 crore and over Rs 11.88 crore property tax, respectively.
The civic body had to collect Rs 5,016 crore property tax in 2019-20. However, it has been able to collect only Rs 3,154 crore so far. With only 35 days left to recover the remaining Rs 1,862 crore, BMC's Tax Assessment and Collection department have started taking stringent action.
"Mesco Aerospace's dues till March 2019 were Rs 1.65 crore. This year the dues have touched Rs 1,94,87,786," said a civic official.
Sangita Hasnale, Assistant Commissioner of Tax Assessment and Collection Department said that the seizure was made under the Schedule K of the Property Tax Act. "Before sealing the property of a defaulter, BMC can seize goods and articles," she said. Though BMC does not know the cost of the helicopters, it will auction them to recover the dues.
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According to sources, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) withdrew the permit of Mesco Aerospace in September 2001 over alleged financial irregularities. mid-day emailed the company for a comment but did not get a reply.
The Wadhwa Trade Centre in Kalina, which has the offices of several well-known companies, owes the BMC Rs 11.88 crore.
"The said property is in Kurla-Kalina where the ready reckoner rates are nearly half compared to BKC. But for our building, BMC levied 20 per cent more property tax than BKC. We have been writing to BMC, the matter is not closed yet. Like previous years, we will pay the amount under protest and expect the ready reckoner rate to be corrected in a few months," said a spokesperson from The Wadhwa Group.
Rs 1,862cr
Amount of property tax BMC has to collect in 35 days
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