‘Bangalore civic body officials helping tax evaders’

The BBMP has failed to generate expected revenue as some officials of the civic body have been working hand in glove with some homeowners who have been evading property tax, according to JD(S) floor leader in BBMP council T Thimme Gowda.

Addressing a press meet on Wednesday, Gowda said in 2008 DV Balan, a resident of Nanja Reddy Colony in CV Raman Nagar, took permission from the BBMP to construct a two-floor building. “But he constructed a four-storey building. But the officials have not bothered to take any action against him,” he said.

“Now Balan has constructed 14 houses in different places of the city. He has rented 10 houses and his family is staying in four houses. The BBMP officials, who colluded with him, created records saying that Balan is staying in all the 14 houses. Balan approached the BBMP to provide him khata certificates for all the houses which is in his name but the joint commissioner directed assistant revenue officer (ARO) concerned to take the required action. But the ARO provided khata certificates to all the houses violating the orders of the higher officer,” Gowda said.

Gowda said Balan has to pay around Rs4 lakh as property tax but he has been paying only Rs.12 lakh.

“This can be done only if the officials are supporting him. There are a lot of such cases. I demand the BBMP commissioner to take action against the erring officials,” he said.