NAGPUR: A significant financial oversight has emerged within the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) as 28,398 property owners across 10 zones have failed to pay property tax even once since their properties were constructed or purchased. The total unpaid amount from these long-term defaulters reaches a staggering Rs259.48 crore, highlighting substantial deficiencies in tax assessment and collection protocols.
Data indicates that the Ashi Nagar zone has the highest number of such properties, with a total of 6,821 accounts and pending dues exceeding Rs59.81 crore. Close behind is Mangalwari, where 4,410 properties owe Rs41.37 crore, and Laxmi Nagar, which has 3,561 properties with arrears surpassing Rs41 crore.
In Hanuman Nagar, 2,881 properties have defaulted, amounting to Rs30.16 crore. Dharampeth, a key zone in the city, contains 1,429 properties with cumulative dues of Rs26.89 crore. Additionally, Lakadganj has 4,144 defaulters owing Rs24.85 crore, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue.
Other areas, including Nehru Nagar (Rs19.86 crore, 2,674 properties), Gandhibagh (Rs6.55 crore), Satranjipura (Rs5.31 crore), and Dhantoli (Rs3.64 crore), demonstrate that the problem spans both commercial and residential districts.
What is most concerning is not just the total amount owed but also the type of default. These properties have evaded tax obligations for years, raising serious questions about the lack of assessment and enforcement that allowed them to operate without contribution.
Civic experts indicate that this extensive list of ‘zero-payment’ properties reveals critical systemic flaws, weak verification processes, and insufficient ground-level accountability. “This isn’t merely a failure in recovery; it suggests these properties were either never assessed or were intentionally overlooked,” stated a former civic official.
The repercussions of this oversight are evident throughout the city. The NMC often cites financial limitations as reasons for subpar road conditions, delayed drainage projects, and deteriorating infrastructure. Yet, Rs259 crore remains tied up in properties that have not contributed any taxes, placing an unfair burden on compliant taxpayers.
