Thane Municipal Corporation collects 27% higher property tax than last year

The Thane Municipal Corporation's (TMC) action to seal properties have helped them gain net 27 per cent higher property tax collection till now compared to last year. The civic body is hopeful of reaching its Rs 550 crore target by March end this fiscal year.

Every January the TMC starts its drive to recover property tax dues from citizens in Thane. "But this year due to to upcoming general elections we started our collection drive from August 2018 itself," said Omprakash Divte, deputy commissioner, property tax department, TMC.

This early planning have helped them net Rs 410 crores of the annual target of Rs 550 crores for the financial year 2018-2019. "We have recovered 27 per cent more dues compared to last year's Rs 320 crores in February 2018," he added.

What has led to this result is the fact that the TMC focused on recovering dues and arrears from tax defaulters with their aggressive strategy. "We would wait for three days after the defaulters received the bill. And if they failed to pay up then we would just attach and seal their properties," he added.