Pune : PCMC to Commence Property Seizures from July 24 : Rs 700 Crores Pending From 73,207 Property Holders

Pimpri-Chinchwad – The Tax Collection and Taxation Department of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has announced that the process of property seizure will commence on July 24 for the 73,207 property owners with outstanding amounts exceeding Rs 25,000, amounting to a total of Rs 700 crores. With the confiscation teams ready and a seven-day ultimatum given to the defaulters, panic has set in among those who have failed to respond to the municipality’s appeals despite repeated follow-ups. 

Consequently, the municipality has no choice but to proceed with property confiscation, auctioning, and the disconnection of utilities.

The Tax Collection and Taxation Department had offered property owners a discount ranging from a minimum of 10 percent to a maximum of 20 percent if they paid their entire tax dues by June 30. More than three lakh property owners availed themselves of these concession schemes, resulting in a record-breaking tax deposit of Rs 447 crores in the municipal treasury for the first quarter.

As of March 31, 2023, there are 73,207 properties in the city with outstanding amounts exceeding Rs 25,000, collectively amounting to Rs 700 crores. To collect these dues, extensive public awareness campaigns were conducted through SMS, phone calls, rickshaws, hoardings, and social media. Pre-seizure notices were issued, and customized messages were sent to defaulters, leading to 7,270 individuals paying Rs 60.88 crores, either partially or in full.

Seizure Teams Ready to Take Action Specially trained teams comprising staff from the Tax Collection Department, Meter Inspectors, Divisional Magistrates, Assistant Divisional Magistrates, and MSF jawans are prepared to carry out the confiscation operations. With the inclusion of meter inspectors and plumbers in the teams, the seizure campaign will be intensified and more effective.

Notice Issued to Defaulters with Arrears of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 by July 21 There are 29,100 properties in the city with outstanding amounts ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000, totaling Rs 110 crores in arrears. Notices will be dispatched to these defaulters by July 21, and the seizure campaign will be implemented from July 24.

Seizure Warrants Prepared for Defaulters Exceeding Rs 50,000 There are 44,107 properties with outstanding amounts exceeding Rs 50,000, totaling Rs 652 crores in arrears. The warrants for these defaulters are ready and will be executed starting July 24. 

Nilesh Deshmukh, Assistant Commissioner of the Tax Collection and Taxation Department, has appealed to property owners to cooperate by settling their tax dues promptly to avoid the unpleasant action of property confiscation or utility disconnection.

“For this financial year, we have decided to integrate property tax and water tax. Based on the tax collection department’s effective performance last year, water collection responsibilities have been entrusted to this department. We anticipate improved collection of property tax and water tax. Overall, our main objective is to create an integrated and people-oriented municipal tax system that empowers the municipality financially” said Shekhar Singh, Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.

“To enhance the effectiveness of the tax collection and seizure team, meter inspectors and plumbers will accompany them. Property confiscation and utility disconnection will be carried out simultaneously. We will prioritize the recovery of water dues along with property tax,” said Nilesh Deshmukh, Assistant Commissioner, Taxation and Tax Collection Department.