Pune Activist Flags ₹7,737 Crore Property Tax Arrears From Just 1,667 Defaulters; Demands Strong Recovery Instead Of Amnesty Scheme

Pune, December 2, 2025: Pune civic activist Vivek Velankar, president of Sajag Nagrik Manch, has written to the Pune Municipal Commissioner highlighting massive pending property tax dues amounting to ₹7,737 crore from only 1,667 major defaulters. He has urged the Municipal Corporation to launch an aggressive recovery drive instead of implementing amnesty schemes that cause financial losses to the civic body.

According to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Velankar stated that the list includes 1,336 mobile tower cases, with unpaid dues collectively amounting to ₹4,376 crore. These cases are reportedly stuck in court, prompting Velankar to demand a special legal cell to speed up hearings. He noted that even if half these cases are resolved in PMC’s favour, the civic body could recover at least ₹2,000 crore.

The RTI data also reveals significant arrears from government and semi-government entities, including:

₹123 crore from Defence Department

₹68 crore from MSEDCL

₹120 crore from PMPML

₹14 crore from BSNL

₹14 crore from MHADA

₹10 crore from nationalised banks

₹7 crore from CWPRS

₹10 crore from various state government departments

The total arrears from government and semi-government bodies alone stand at approximately ₹355 crore.

Velankar argued that focusing on recovering dues from these large defaulters would yield higher revenue than granting concessions through amnesty schemes. He also stressed the need for sincere follow-up by the PMC’s legal and property tax departments, especially for court-pending cases.

He concluded by urging the Municipal Commissioner to take swift, comprehensive and coordinated action** to safeguard public funds and improve PMC’s revenue collection.