STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has started issuing notices to property tax defaulters asking them either to clear their dues or face punitive actions.
Punitive actions include stopping drinking water supply and sealing of commercial and residential buildings.
"Property tax is one of the major sources of revenue for the civic body. The State Government has already told the GMC to become self-reliant by mobilizing its internal resources. A huge number of city residents, apartment owners, commercial organizations and public sector undertakings are not paying property tax to the tune of several crores of rupees.
"Even though our tax collectors are trying hard to collect taxes, many are willing not paying their dues. Unless legal actions are taken against the defaulters, they will continue to evade taxes," said a source in the GMC.
"Collection of property tax during 2020 was virtually nil due to the nation-wide lockdown and subsequent outbreak of COVID-19," pointed out the source.
"The GMC has to gear up to mop up its revenue by collecting taxes in 2021. Despite introduction of online payment of property tax, defaulters are giving various excuses for not clearing their dues. Since the issuing of notices from December 2020, some defaulters are coming forward to clear their outstanding property tax amount. But still a large number of defaulters are ignoring the notices," said a GMC official.