BELAGAVI: Despite the rapid expansion of Belagavi city, the collection of property taxes has not kept up, raising concerns about the financial management of the city corporation.
As of March 31, there are 165,958 properties across 58 wards in the city, with an estimated addition of 10,000 to 15,000 new properties each year. However, this growth has not resulted in a corresponding increase in civic revenue.
In the fiscal year 2025-26, the city corporation collected ₹70.8 crore in property tax, a slight increase from ₹69.5 crore in 2024-25, falling significantly short of the ₹89 crore target.
Officials have indicated that poor compliance is a major factor, with around 30-40% of property owners failing to pay their dues. According to regulations, every new building is required to obtain a Property Identification Number (PID), undergo assessment, and pay annual taxes, yet many properties remain unregistered.
Adding to the issue is the absence of accurate data on authorized versus unauthorized properties. Following a Supreme Court directive, the regularization process for unauthorized structures has been suspended, and the removal of double-tax penalties on these properties this financial year is anticipated to further impact revenue.
There’s also a looming issue of arrears; approximately 550 property owners are responsible for nearly ₹18 crore in outstanding dues, making collection challenging.
Experts suggest that the corporation’s revenue could exceed ₹100 crore annually if compliance improves. Immediate actions to enhance enforcement, tighten recovery processes, and develop a comprehensive database of all properties are considered critical steps.
