Guess how many people in New Delhi haven't paid property tax

Over 20,000 persons in New Delhi haven't paid their property taxes due under the rate-able value system amounting to over Rs 300 crore, as they did not trust ex-parte decisions, the New Delhi Municipal Council has claimed.

"Before the implementation of Unit Area Method on April 1, 2004, a scheme to give relief to such property tax-payers was approved since honest tax payers were not satisfied that the ex-parte decisions would be made truly on the facts," Chairman Standing Committee, Mohan Prasad Bhardwaj said.

Therefore, the scheme was modified to give them relief -- to pay the tax either of the systems i.e. Unit Area Method or Rateable Value Method. The cases would be decided on merit.

The decision to give relief to such tax payers of ex-parte decision prior to March 31, 2004, is taken in the interest of the corporation to generate revenue, he said.

He said that the corporation is taking some initiatives for property tax system to check red tapism and minimise the contact so that tax-payers can deposit their property tax with respect and with ease.