BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has made its
intentions clear. After taking corporations, government agencies,
hotels and educational institutions to task for irregular payment of
property tax and other alleged violations, the Palike has now served a
notice to the ISKCON temple in the city.
The temple which is located on West of Chord Road has become the latest to come under the Palike scanner.
According
to the Palike, the temple has a wedding choultry, three hotels and
guest houses, which come under the commercial tax bracket. The Palike,
has actively pursued renewal of trade licences and property tax to
increase the revenue sources.
On the
same account, revenue inspectors have estimated that the temple would be
liable to pay Rs 80 lakh as property tax. But the temple has agreed to
pay liable amount, informed deputy mayor S Harish.
But
he was also of the opinion that the temple would be liable to pay a
much higher amount, if the property was reassessed. With the same
regard, he held discussions with the BBMP commissioner Siddaiah.
The
latter immediately asked the joint commissioner (West) to conduct the
re-assessment personally to ensure that the temple pays what it is
liable to pay.
The result of the
aggressive posture of the Palike in matters relating to the collection
of property tax saw fruitful results as the same exceeded Rs 1,000 crore
for the first time in the BBMP’s history, even though it fell short of
the expected target of Rs 1,500 crore.
The
Palike have expected to garner the same amount according to their
2011-12 budget as well as the initiation of the Global Information
System (GIS) has helped them tax 11,02,289 properties across the city.
Added to this, they are also expecting to generate Rs 85 crore from the renewal and distribution of trade licences.
| The BBMP has slapped a notice on Iskcon, demanding Rs 80 lakh as property tax. | |
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For the last many years the temple management was running
business but it was only recently that the Palike found a marriage hall,
three superior class hotels, a residential complex and shops on the
premises. Deputy Mayor S Harish had recently directed the Revenue department of the Palike to assess the property tax liability. “I have a feeling that the assessment by the Revenue department is not proper. So I have ordered the deputy commissioner (Revenue), West Zone to assess the property afresh,” said Harish | |
