Chandigarh MC mulling policy to recover unpaid property tax from defaulters: Commissioner
The commissioner shared the development while responding to questions raised by councillor Mahesh Inder Singh Sidhu, who discussed a list of the top 20 property tax defaulters, which includes both government and private institutions, collectively owing unpaid property tax worth Rs 196 crore. Sidhu stressed that recovering even Rs 200 crore could substantially ease the civic body's financial strain and help resolve multiple civic issues.
Kumar informed the councillors that a step-by-step approach is being adopted and that a formal recovery policy will be drafted within three months.
The commissioner noted that the PGIMER has already paid Rs 12 crore, and efforts are underway to recover more dues. He also acknowledged that legal battles with institutions have slowed recovery, with many hiring senior lawyers. Sidhu suggested the MC's legal team may coordinate closely with senior standing counsels to strengthen the MC's legal arguments.
Sidhu further questioned why Chandigarh has not received the grant it is entitled to under the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission, to which Kumar responded that a request under the Sixth Delhi Finance Commission has been sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Advertisement Tax and Labor Welfare Concerns Raised
Sidhu also drew the House's attention to unbilled advertisements in Elante Mall and urged immediate calculation and issuance of tax notices. The Commissioner assured action would be taken in the city's interest.
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