BBMP issues notices to Vidhana Soudha, Raj Bhavan over property tax dues

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: When it comes to paying up property tax, the high and mighty are as lax as many among the general public. According to reports, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), citing pending property tax dues for almost two decades, has issued notices to Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka and the Raj Bhavan administration! The two buildings figure among 258 government structures which owe the BBMP crores of rupees in tax dues.

Ironically, several government buildings including Vikasa Soudha, situated next to Vidhana Soudha, have not paid up taxes over the last 17 years. The BBMP has now issued notices to the heads of 258 government establishments from which taxes are due. Officials from the BBMP have reportedly stated that these government buildings have failed to pay the dues, even though they were pursued and advised to settle the dues under the One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme, which waives interest and halves penalty charges if payments are made.

“We have been issuing notices since July last”, Zonal Commissioner of East, BBMP, Snehal told reporters. Reports of the mounting tax dues come amidst reports of government buildings having to pay around Rs 8000 crore in electricity bills. Meanwhile the BBMP has identified around 3000 properties for auction. These buildings have accumulated years of dues.