Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation takes TVs, fridges of property tax defaulters

VVCMC officials paste notices outside a property in Nalasopara

Launching a strict drive against property tax arrears, the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) is confiscating and auctioning properties of defaulters.

VVCMC officials conduct bike rallies once a week to ask people to pay their dues. Pics/Hanif Patel

According to sources, the action comes as the corporation has not been able to achieve the expected income from property taxes. The total expected income of VVCMC for Financial Year 2020-21 is Rs 530 crore. However, so far, they have collected only Rs 160 crore (revenue from water bills and property taxes) till Wednesday.

Repeated appeals not having had an effect, the VVCMC finally decided to go for action against those who have not paid their property tax and water bills.

"We have prepared a list of people who have arrears in each ward and notices were issued. Our officers are seizing household items like fridge, TV, furniture, etc. from the houses and machines and other valuables from shops, workshops, hotels, industries that have not cleared dues," a VVCMC official said.

"For the past two weeks, announcements to clear dues are being made and once a week, our officers undertake bike rallies in each prabhag (division), requesting people to pay their bills," the official added.

However, this, too, did not bear much fruit for the civic body. "Hence, we sealed many shops and factories. Action against five taxpayers is taken daily in each prabhag (division)," the official said.

In addition, 100 people with major high-value tax arrears have also been traced. Instructions regarding confiscating the property and auctioning have been given to assistant commissioners of all ward committees, the official said.

"Names of taxpayers with arrears will be published in newspapers, on banners and hoardings at important junctions," said Pradip Jambhale Patil, deputy commissioner (tax), VVCMC. Last year, the civic body collected around Rs 221 crore from property tax and other taxes.