Bengaluru: EMI option proposed for property tax payments
Bengaluru: The State Finance Commission (SFC) has proposed introducing an EMI scheme for property tax payments in Bengaluru to improve collection efficiency and ease the burden on taxpayers, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
The move, as per the fifth SFC report on five city corporations under Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), would help in increasing property tax collection efficiency. “A lump-sum payment each year might be difficult to manage, and splitting it into monthly payments might make it easier to pay while also softening the impact,” the report said.
The commission has also suggested offering rebates for timely payment of property tax, similar to the 5 per cent rebate previously offered by the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Such a measure, the SFC observed, “can also incentivise people to pay on time.”
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Data cited in the report shows that as of September last year, the BBMP had identified around 2.75 lakh defaulters who owed Rs 786 cr in property tax dues. This came after the civic body recovered nearly Rs 1,200 crore in arrears through a one-time settlement scheme, which offered a full waiver of interest on arrears and a 50 per cent reduction in penalties.
According to the SFC, bringing unassessed properties under the tax net was expected to add approximately Rs 1,000 crore annually to the property tax revenue of five city corporations. It was being done by integrating the GIS-based e-khata system with the property tax system. The report said that “There are nearly five lakh properties that have not been brought under the tax net and remain unassessed.”
Another recommendation includes cross-checking property tax records with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) data, especially for new connections, using GBA’s building licence data.
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Karnataka Speaker Khader finishes fourth in Dirt Prix event
Mangaluru (PTI): Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Sunday finished fourth in a dirt track racing event organised by the Indian Motor Sports Club here.
Driving a Volkswagen Polo GT, Khader narrowly missed a podium finish, ending just seconds behind the third-place finisher.
An avid motorsport enthusiast since his college days, Khader has participated in several racing events involving both motorcycles and cars.
Organisers said his performance on the dirt track was consistent with his previous racing record.
Speaking informally after the event, Khader said he continues to follow motorsport and enjoys driving, describing the experience as a "refreshing change" from his official responsibilities.
The Dirt Prix event saw participation from multiple racers and was aimed at promoting grassroots motorsport.
