The MC of Panchkula (Municipal Corporation) has decided to be tough on defaulter of property tax whether they are found in both private or government sectors, bearing in mind that around Rs 25.44 crore has not been paid yet which is huge money. Notably, municipal corporation will send reminders specifically aimed at such companies drawing their attention to the fact that they have failed to meet their tax responsibilities.
Some of the top defaulters are government departments, with entities such as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) having huge pending dues. For example, ITBP owes property tax arrears amounting to more than Rs 2.71 crore on its Ramgarh location and over Rs 2.51 crore on its Sector 30 property. Similarly, the HSVP finds itself in arrears, owing over Rs 2.14 crore for its water works site in Sector 1, and an additional Rs 1.60 crore for its parade ground site in Sector 5.
The prolonged nature of these outstanding dues is another aspect of this problem. For a few government departments, the property tax dues date back up to 14 years. This heap of arrears is a significant problem to MC’s financial health, thus urgent action to recoup these amounts is required.
Zonal Taxation Officer Akash Kapoor emphasized the importance of timely tax payments, noting that both government departments and private property owners are required to settle their dues by March 31 of each fiscal year. Failure to adhere to this deadline incurs a hefty interest penalty of 18% per annum on the outstanding amount.
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The MC’s decision to issue notices to defaulters represents a proactive measure aimed at enforcing compliance with property tax regulations. This initiative is poised to encompass all private and government properties within Panchkula, signaling a concerted effort to address the issue of outstanding dues comprehensively.
Among the notable government establishments yet to clear their dues are the Government Youth Hostel, Tau Devi Lal HUDA Sports Complex, and various power substations and printing presses. As the MC endeavors to recover these dues, its efforts are driven by the imperative of ensuring fiscal sustainability and equitable taxation practices within the city.
