Property tax bills irk citizens, BMC flooded with complaints

After the issuance of the new property tax bills, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials are flooded with complaints from upset citizens.

After the issuance of the new property tax bills, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials are flooded with complaints from upset citizens. So far, the BMC has received around 3,360 complaints from citizens across the city.

The BMC had sent the new capital value-based property tax bills for the years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 to citizens in January, 2013. It gave them 21 days notice to raise objections about the bill amount while the deadline to pay the bills is March 31. This capital value-based property tax system replaced the rental system last year.

The BMC has issued 1,94,374 property bills along with notices to citizens. It is yet to send the bills for 33,400 properties.

“We are receiving around 250 to 300 complaints every day at our ward offices. These complaints are being addressed at the help desks set up at various wards,” said Rajiv Jalota, additional municipal commissioner.

Jalota also clarified that the 21-day notice is allotted to raise objections about mistakes in the classification of the building. However, the BMC has refused to facilitate payments in instalments as the difference is very low.

“The new property tax system was passed to neutralise property tax across the city. We are ready to explain the system to residents if they call us to their buildings,” said Jalota. 

Meanwhile, the BMC is expecting lesser revenue this year than last year.

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BMC to hold hearings on property tax complaints

MUMBAI: The civic body has appointed inspectors in wards to conduct hearings on complaints alleging erroneous computation of the capital-value-based property tax. The hearings redressal on property tax-related complaints will begin in 10 days.

The BMC has received a total of 42,000 complaints.

"Each ward has been divided into 14-30 sections. A single section will comprise 300-400 properties. Each ward will have an inspector, who will scrutinize the complaint and forward it to the assistant assessor and the collector (the designated investigating officer) to decide if the case has merit. The complaints will be heard and a final order passed," said additional municipal commissioner Rajiv Jalota. "Of the 42,000 complaints, 27,000 will be heard. Around 13,000 complaints pertain to the policy and question the basis of the capital-value based system and . These complaints cannot be considered." We are trying to minimize hearings as much as possible."

MUMBAI: The civic body has appointed inspectors in wards to conduct hearings on complaints alleging erroneous computation of the capital-value-based property tax. The hearings redressal on property tax-related complaints will begin in 10 days.

The BMC has received a total of 42,000 complaints.

"Each ward has been divided into 14-30 sections. A single section will comprise 300-400 properties. Each ward will have an inspector, who will scrutinize the complaint and forward it to the assistant assessor and the collector (the designated investigating officer) to decide if the case has merit. The complaints will be heard and a final order passed," said additional municipal commissioner Rajiv Jalota. "Of the 42,000 complaints, 27,000 will be heard. Around 13,000 complaints pertain to the policy and question the basis of the capital-value based system and . These complaints cannot be considered." We are trying to minimize hearings as much as possible."

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-26/mumbai/38842377_1_assistant-assessor-complaints-investigating-officer

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