KALABURAGI: Kalaburagi district has made headlines with a remarkable spike in property tax collection, achieving a recovery rate of 89.8%—the highest recorded at the district level.
Traditionally, gram panchayats in the district collected between Rs 10-15 crore annually. However, collections soared in the past two years, reaching Rs 25.8 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 33.4 crore by March 31, 2025-26.
Out of the 261 gram panchayats, 71 achieved a 100% property tax collection rate, while over 90 exceeded the 90% threshold. Officials noted that this is the highest recovery seen in the past nine years. While previous years witnessed complaints of poor collection, a directive from zilla panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena brought about a significant change.
Authorities took action by suspending some PDOs and freezing pay increments for 18 others for inadequate engagement with residents. Following these measures, officials initiated doorstep tax collection. It was reported that 90% of residents comply with tax payments when approached by gram panchayat staff.
This year, no taluk in the district was declared drought-prone, even amidst unavailable emergency funds and pending disbursement from the 15th Finance Commission. Officials remarked that enhanced tax collection would aid local development initiatives under these circumstances.
The district collected Rs 7.7 crore in property tax from sugar and cement factories this year, with significant contributions from Shree Cement (Rs 2.6 crore), Ultratech Cement (Rs 1.4 crore), Adani Cement (Rs 1 crore), KPR Sugar (Rs 82.1 lakh), Chettinad Cement (Rs 70.5 lakh), Sagar Cement (Rs 37.6 lakh), NSL Sugar (Rs 31 lakh), Renuka Sugar (Rs 19 lakh), Ugar Sugars (Rs 17 lakh), and Clean Maps Solar (Rs 9 lakh). By the end of February, collections totaled Rs 24.5 crore.
The district ranked 26th in the state for property tax recovery until February. However, reforms initiated in March and increased field-level oversight boosted collections by Rs 8.9 crore between March 1 and 31, elevating the district’s ranking by 10 places to 16th.
In a statement to TOI, Meena said, “Under the guidance of RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, the strategies implemented for tax collection have produced positive outcomes. This time, nearly 90% of the tax has been collected, strengthening the financial position of village panchayats.”
