BELAGAVI: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has set an ambitious goal of collecting Rs 75 crore in property tax for the financial year 2025-26. So far, the civic body has collected Rs 44.7 crore in the first quarter, aided by a 5% rebate scheme that ended on June 30.
This figure represents the highest Q1 property tax collection in the BCC’s history, attributed to an effective awareness campaign about the rebate and diligent efforts to stop revenue losses. With Rs 44.7 crore already in hand, the BCC aims to raise the remaining Rs 30 crore in the upcoming quarters to hit its target.
“We would like to thank and congratulate the citizens of Belagavi for paying their taxes early and taking advantage of the rebate, which benefits the city’s development,” commented BCC commissioner Shubha B during an interview with the TOI. “Our internal target is set at Rs 79 crore, but we are committed to reaching at least Rs 75 crore.”
To sustain this revenue growth, the BCC is now focusing on unauthorized buildings and tax defaulters. Under new regulations, owners of illegal constructions must pay a single tax this fiscal year, while any pending dues up to 2024 will incur double taxation. “We are issuing notices and re-evaluating these properties to ensure proper assessment,” stated the commissioner.
In addition, a list of chronic tax defaulters has been compiled, and recovery actions have begun. “Notices have been distributed, and we’ve warned of property attachment in cases that have been overdue for too long. A substantial number of defaulters have been targeted this year,” added Shubha B.
