Property, Water Tax Countdown Begins

In Thane, the Property Tax Department needs to recover 200 crore in the next ten days to reach its target. Similarly, the Water Supply Department must meet a target of 150 crore. 

Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao had set a target of 900 crore for the Property Tax department this year; however, as of March 19, the department has collected 698 crore. This collection is 52 crore less than the amount collected by the same date last year, which was 750 crore. 

To maximise recovery, the municipal administration has announced a 90% discount on penalties and interest for defaulters. The government has kept offices open even on holidays. The government has now initiated online payment facilities for taxpayers. 

Despite these measures, the response has not been as high as expected, forcing the department to intensify its recovery campaign. Currently, the department faces the challenge of collecting 20 crore every day to meet its tax goals. 

The Water Supply Department, on the other hand, was given a recovery target of 250 crore but has collected 110 crore so far. They need to recover about 14 crore every day. The department has cut off hundreds of water lines and taken control of water pumps.

The income of the Property and Water Departments is very important to the Municipal Corporation’s financial stability. An official stated that only if these departments work hard enough to meet their targets will they be able to afford civic development projects and employee salaries in the coming year.