Delhi property tax problems? Hang on folks! There is a call centre coming soon
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| Property Taxes India getting simpler? |
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) may soon open a call centre to solve problems associated with the payment of property tax. The Municipal Valuation Committee, constituted by the Delhi government to review the property tax rate, has suggested that the MCD start such a facility to address grievances of Delhi residents.
It was also suggested that the Assessor and Collector department, which oversees property tax collections, should be computerised to effect easier payment of taxes. According to a senior MCD official, the suggestions have been made because property owners currently have to run from pillar to post for paying taxes.
“There are problems with record keeping, and some people were sent notices despite paying taxes. With a call centre in place, people can get their grievances addressed over the phone, instead of knocking on the doors of the administration,” he said.
The MVC report will come up before the Standing Committee for formal approval. In its final version, it has decided to drop its recommendations for ‘category upgrade’ of residential colonies. In other words, there will not be any hike in property tax this year.
In its interim report, the MVC had recommended the upgrade of as many as 125 colonies across the city by at least one level. The committee has also dropped the idea to consider the impact of the Delhi Metro while re-categorising the colonies.
Earlier, it has been decided that five points be allotted to colonies situated within a kilometre’s radius of the Metro line, which would have result in a huge jump in property tax paid by the owners. In its final report, the committee also skipped another recommendation that all DDA-developed colonies in trans-Yamuna area be categorized on a par with other colonies developed by the Authority in the Capital.
It was also suggested that the Assessor and Collector department, which oversees property tax collections, should be computerised to effect easier payment of taxes. According to a senior MCD official, the suggestions have been made because property owners currently have to run from pillar to post for paying taxes.
“There are problems with record keeping, and some people were sent notices despite paying taxes. With a call centre in place, people can get their grievances addressed over the phone, instead of knocking on the doors of the administration,” he said.
The MVC report will come up before the Standing Committee for formal approval. In its final version, it has decided to drop its recommendations for ‘category upgrade’ of residential colonies. In other words, there will not be any hike in property tax this year.
In its interim report, the MVC had recommended the upgrade of as many as 125 colonies across the city by at least one level. The committee has also dropped the idea to consider the impact of the Delhi Metro while re-categorising the colonies.
Earlier, it has been decided that five points be allotted to colonies situated within a kilometre’s radius of the Metro line, which would have result in a huge jump in property tax paid by the owners. In its final report, the committee also skipped another recommendation that all DDA-developed colonies in trans-Yamuna area be categorized on a par with other colonies developed by the Authority in the Capital.
And yeah, this is one bit we don't have to outsource! :) Could the other municipal bodies across India take a little learning out of this?
Excerpts from Indian Express
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