“The civic administration is emphasizing action against significant tax defaulters. Special teams have been deployed for these confiscations,” stated Ravi Pawar, head of PMC’s property tax department.
Data from PMC indicates that around Rs 5,500 crore is yet to be recovered from defaulters. While activists have praised the crackdown, they urge PMC to take more stringent actions, such as filing criminal complaints against habitual offenders.
Officials noted that a notice is issued to defaulters before the attachment process begins, and the property is temporarily sealed. Should payment remain unpaid, PMC assumes possession of the property, marking it on 7/12 abstracts. The property is later auctioned through an online bidding system.
In an innovative recovery measure, the administration recently employed music bands in front of tax defaulters’ properties to remind them of their outstanding dues.
Approximately 14.5 lakh properties fall under PMC’s tax jurisdiction. Data shows the civic body collected Rs 2,600 crore from taxpayers between April 2025 and January 2026, a rise from Rs 2,007 crore collected during the same period in 2024-25.
“PMC’s proposal to increase property tax for common citizens is unjust and would impose an additional burden on responsible taxpayers. The focus should be on major tax defaulters and urgent recovery actions,” voiced Vijay Kumbhar of Surajya Sangharsha Samiti, a citizens’ group.
Former corporator Shiva Mantri criticized the proposed tax hike as unjust to those who pay their property taxes promptly. “It’s important to remember that PMC raised property taxes just a few years ago, significantly impacting the finances of ordinary citizens,” he said.
Moreover, he pointed out that Pune’s property tax rates are already high compared to other major cities in India. “Before considering further tax hikes, the administration should prioritize recovering existing tax arrears.”
PMC officials acknowledged that issues like restrictions on property tax recovery in 34 newly merged areas affected overall collections last fiscal year.
