NAVI MUMBAI: The Panvel City Municipal Corporation has recovered ₹167 crore in property tax from 60,082 property owners. With just one day remaining in the amnesty scheme (ending Aug 15), 37,519 owners have taken advantage of a 90% fine exemption, amounting to a total relief of ₹64.8 crore. A protest against the property tax was organized on Wednesday.
The amnesty scheme, effective from July 18 to September 20, was divided into four tiers:
– 75% rebate for payments made between August 16 and August 31,
– 50% discount from September 1 to September 10,
– 25% waiver from September 11 to September 20.
Thousands participated in a protest rally in Panvel, covering approximately 1 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk to the PCMC head office. Seven major political parties, along with several social forums, joined the demonstration, labeling the property tax as unlawful, impractical, and a diversion of public attention.
The protest was led by ex-MLC and PWP leader Balaram Patil, city Congress chief Sudam Patil, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Baban Patil and Shirish Gharat, NCP (SP) chief Satish Patil, MNS, and others. Kharghar Colony Forum president, Leena Garad, urged residents not to pay property taxes even under the amnesty scheme. The leaders later submitted a memorandum to PCMC chief Mangesh Chitale.
In a media statement, Patil accused the ruling party of breaking a promise to not increase taxes for five years, citing the current collection of property tax along with fines and interest. While the amnesty scheme offers relief on fines and interest, no discounts are available for the basic property tax.
Critics argue that despite PCMC being classified as a ‘D’ class municipal corporation, the property tax rates are comparable to those charged by ‘A’ class civic bodies like Mumbai.
