Property survey not done properly, says Minister Lad

The Hindu

7 days ago

Pointing out the huge difference in the number of houses having power supply collection and the number of properties in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad, Labour Minister Santosh Lad has directed the authorities to synchronise the data and stop revenue pilferage.
Chairing review meetings of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) and the Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) in Dharwad on Tuesday, Mr. Lad said that it was evident that all the properties had not been brought under the tax net in the twin cities and said that a survey on the properties had not been done in a comprehensive manner.
Emphasising the need for proper tax collection, he said that over 45,000 illegal, unauthorised sites have been developed and sold. Providing basic amenities to such residential layouts had become a problematic issue, which should be sorted out at the earliest. There should also be an extensive awareness campaign on tax collection, he said.
'The municipal corporation has given a total of 2,474 assets on long-term lease several years ago. It has come to light that several of them have been leased out to others and a few even sold to third parties. It should be thoroughly investigated and suitable action taken,' he said.
Taking strong exception to the sale of five-gunta farmland around the twin cities, he said that as it was unauthorised it should be immediately stopped. 'It is illegal to convert fertile farmland into residential five gunta plots and sell them. This is going to create problems in the coming days and should be addressed immediately through joint action of department of registration and survey and local bodies,' he said.
Mentioning that demand for introducing OTS (One Time Settlement) for the pending water bills worth ₹149 crore was being considered, he asked the municipal authorities to send a requisite proposal.
Pointing towards unauthorised paying guest facilities in the twin cities, the Minister directed the zonal assistant commissioners of the twelve zones of HDMC to conduct survey on PG facilities in the twin cities and collect information on the number of occupants, permissions taken, the facilities provided, taxes paid and to check whether they were paying commercial rates for water and drinking water usage. Those violating the norms should be issued notices immediately, he said.
Intervening in the discussion, Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu G.R.J. said that there was provision for cancellation of registration of sale deeds if the agricultural land was being used for non-agricultural activities and action could be taken. She also assured of constituting a joint committee to prevent unauthorised layouts in the district.