Vidhana Soudha, Raj Bhavan Among Defaulters as Civic Body Battles Revenue Shortfall
BBMP Cracks Down on Government Buildings Over Property Tax Arrears
BNH NETWORK
Bengaluru - The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued notices to 258 government buildings for non-payment of property taxes. Iconic structures such as Vidhana Soudha, Raj Bhavan, and Vikasa Soudha are among the defaulters. The civic body is struggling with financial pressure, with unpaid taxes amounting to approximately Rs 658 crore.
Several government departments owe property tax arrears for nearly 17 years. Despite multiple reminders, payments have not been made, forcing BBMP to escalate its recovery efforts.
BBMP had introduced a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to ease the payment process. The scheme offered waivers on compound interest and a 50% reduction in penalties. However, none of the government offices opted to benefit from the initiative before its closure. This lack of response has prompted officials to adopt stricter measures.
A senior BBMP official stated that repeated opportunities had been given to clear the dues. The civic body now has no option but to take stringent action, even against prominent institutions.
The possibility of seizing government properties remains uncertain, though officials have pledged to explore all legal options to recover the dues. The ongoing crackdown underscores the BBMP's determination to improve tax compliance and generate funds for vital infrastructure projects.
