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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BCC collects record Rs 44.7 crore property tax in Q1, eyes Rs 75 crore target
Belagavi: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) set an ambitious target of collecting Rs 75 crore in property tax for the financial year 2025–26. In a remarkable start, the civic body already collected Rs 44.7 crore in the first quarter, boosted by a 5% rebate scheme that concluded on June 30. According to sources, this marks the highest-ever Q1 property tax collection in BCC's history. The civic body attributes this achievement to a robust awareness campaign promoting the rebate, along with systematic efforts to plug revenue leakages. With over Rs 44.7 crore already in its coffers, the BCC now aims to collect the remaining Rs 30 crore in the coming quarters to meet its goal. "This is a moment to thank and congratulate the citizens of Belagavi, who came forward to pay their taxes early and availed the rebate, contributing to the city's development," said BCC commissioner Shubha B, speaking to the TOI. "Our internal target is Rs 79 crore, but we are aiming to at least meet Rs 75 crore." To maintain the revenue momentum, the BCC has now turned its attention to unauthorised buildings and tax defaulters. Under new norms, owners of unlawful constructions are now required to pay a single tax from this financial year, while any dues pending up to 2024 will attract double taxation. "We are issuing notices and re-measuring such properties to ensure accurate assessment," the commissioner stated. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo by Taboola by Taboola Meanwhile, the civic body has also prepared a list of chronic tax defaulters and initiated recovery measures. "Notices have been sent, and we have warned of property attachment in long-pending cases. A significant number of defaulters have been identified and targeted this year," Shubha B added.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BCC seeks Lokayukta probe into Rs 7.3 cr property tax evasion by helmet company
Belagavi: Acting on a resolution passed during the recent Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) council meeting, commissioner Shubha B has formally requested the Lokayukta police to investigate the role of BCC officials in an alleged property tax evasion scam involving Vega Funmobile Private Limited, a helmet manufacturing company based in the Udyambag industrial area. The company is accused of evading property tax and violating building norms, with outstanding dues amounting to Rs 7.3 crore between 2004-05 and 2025-26. The breakdown includes Rs 1,99,49,156 in property tax, Rs 50,76,836 in cesses, Rs 4,82,33,084 in penalties, and Rs 1,07,400 under the solid waste management tax. In her letter to the Lokayukta, commissioner Shubha stated that it is the duty of BCC officials to ensure timely collection of taxes from property owners, identify discrepancies in payments, communicate pending dues, and maintain a separate tax register for such cases. She alleged that the officials failed in their responsibilities, resulting in a significant financial loss to the civic body. "The officials showed dereliction of duty by failing to enforce property tax collection from Vega Funmobile as per the prescribed rules," she wrote, urging the Lokayukta to identify and take action against the erring officers. The commissioner further noted that despite lacking a valid building permit, the company was operating a 24,000 sqft unauthorised commercial structure for years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Property tax was being paid under the commercial category through the self-assessment scheme (SAS) since 2004, without proper verification from BCC. A final demand notice for the clearance of dues was served recently to the company by the corporation. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP in the BCC has taken a stern stance, demanding strict action against Vega Funmobile Pvt Ltd for tax evasion. The ruling party leaders have also made it clear that they will not shield any BCC officials found guilty of ignoring the irregularities.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BCC shifts e-Khata applications to Belagavi One centres following corruption concerns
Belagavi: In a bid to streamline the property registration process and curb irregularities, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has introduced citizen-friendly reforms for e-Aasthi enrolments. Property owners can now apply for e-Khata registrations through designated Belagavi One centres in the city. Previously, applications were accepted manually at three divisional BCC offices. However, after corporators raised concerns over corruption, BCC commissioner Shubha B conducted a surprise inspection. She discovered that files submitted through middlemen were being prioritised, while genuine applications with complete documentation faced unnecessary delays. Taking immediate action, the commissioner suspended manual submission of applications and transferred the process to Belagavi One centres. "Currently, two centres are operational, one at Ashok Nagar and another at Goaves. Due to increasing workload, we have requested two additional centres at the BCC office building and Konwal Galli. We are expecting those to become operational in a week," she told the TOI. You Can Also Check: Hubballi AQI | Weather in Hubballi | Bank Holidays in Hubballi | Public Holidays in Hubballi The commissioner stated that the entire process is now transparent and affordable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pernas e tornozelos inchados? Descubra o que pode ajudar a drenar agora aartedoherbalismo Undo "Applicants can submit documents directly at the centres by paying a nominal fee of Rs 25. There is no need to approach agents or middlemen," she said, adding that login credentials have been issued to the centres for direct uploading of applications. Commissioner Shubha said BCC successfully cleared a backlog of 3,854 e-Khata applications, some pending for over six months, in just two days recently. However, the pace has slowed due to server issues. "The urban development department informed us that the server would be down for four days; three have already passed. We're hoping for resolution soon," she noted. To raise public awareness, BCC installed a cantilever board at Channamma Circle, listing required documents for obtaining A-Khata and B-Khata certificates. Although a helpline was launched to assist residents with e-Khata queries, it is currently facing challenges. "Most calls are unrelated to e-Khata, making it difficult to resolve actual queries," the commissioner admitted.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Laptop Scam: BCC appoints special investigation officer;
Belagavi: Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) commissioner Shubha B on Tuesday clarified that she has ordered a detailed investigation into the alleged irregularities in the purchase and distribution of laptops to SC/ST students. The inquiry follows allegations of inflated pricing and the installation of pirated software on the distributed devices. A month ago, BCC distributed 203 laptops to meritorious SC/ST students using unutilised funds earmarked for the purpose from the past three years, supplemented by grants from the State Finance Commission (SFC). However, Dalit organisations recently staged protests in the city, accusing the corporation of supplying substandard laptops at inflated prices. During the council meeting held on Tuesday, several corporators, including Advocate Hanumant Kongali, Ravi Dhotre, Ramesh Sontakki, and Dinesh Nashipudi, raised concerns about the procurement process. Responding to the allegations, commissioner Shubha B informed the council that a special officer has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive investigation. She added that the laptops distributed to the 10 students were taken back for examination following reports of pirated software being installed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Melhor e mais barato marketing que existe Balinhas Personalizadas Undo Corporators questioned the corporation's payment of Rs 49,000 per laptop, despite the maximum retail price (MRP) on the boxes being Rs 35,000. The investigating officer stated that the local HP distributor was asked to furnish a detailed cost breakdown based on the required specifications. The contractor, according to initial findings, installed Windows and other software for an additional Rs 10,000 — a matter also under scrutiny. Corporators allege misguidance by officials Corporator Hanumant Kongali strongly criticised BCC officials, accusing them of misleading elected representatives and misusing the intended fund. "The amount was meant to offer direct financial assistance to students, not for procuring laptops. Yet, the officials convinced corporators to approve the purchase. This is a serious violation and must be thoroughly investigated," he said. Kongali further highlighted procedural lapses, noting that tenders were floated in Jan, while approval from the Standing Committee on Finance was granted only in March. He called this sequence a 'major blunder' that demands accountability. MLA Abhay Patil also held the officials responsible for misleading the corporators in the case and demanded an inquiry. Mayor Mangesh Pawar directed commissioner Shubha B to table the investigation report before the council upon completion of the probe.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BCC Issues final notice to Vega Funmobile over Rs 7.3 crore property tax dues
Belagavi: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) issued a final notice to Vega Funmobile Private Limited, demanding the payment of Rs 7,33,66,476 in overdue property tax, pending from 2004–05 to 2025–26. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The notice follows allegations of tax evasion and serious violations of building construction norms by the company. According to the breakdown provided in the notice, the total due includes: Property tax Rs 1,99,49,156, cesses Rs 50,76,836, penalty Rs 4,82,33,084, and solid waste management tax of Rs 1,07,400. The notice, issued under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) Act, 1976, mandates the company to pay the dues within seven days of receipt. Failure to do so will lead to strict recovery action, including distraint and sale of movable assets, and attachment of immovable properties. Speaking to the TOI, BCC commissioner Shubha B said: "This is the final warning issued to the company. If the dues are not cleared, legal proceedings will be initiated." She clarified that the outstanding amount was calculated after adjusting previously paid amounts. Significantly, the 24,000 sq ft commercial structure operated by Vega Funmobile is entirely unauthorised, built without a valid building permit. Despite this, the company was paying property tax under the commercial category through the Self-Assessment Scheme (SAS) since 2004, without proper verification. BCC sources revealed that a detailed inquiry led to the penalty after detecting mismatches between the declared and actual built-up area. The company is said to have admitted to the violations during the proceedings. As a result, action was taken under Section 112(C) of the KMC Act, 1976. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Commissioner Shubha conducted a comprehensive investigation, including spot inspections, review of electricity records, construction timelines, and satellite imagery analysis. Following this, she conducted three hearings on Jan 31, April 15, and April 21, 2025. The office issued a final order on April 25, and the final notice was served on Tuesday.
