LUDHIANA: The deadline for the one-time settlement scheme for property tax dues has been extended for the third time, allowing residents to settle outstanding dues without any interest or penalties until the end of August.
The municipal corporation has so far collected ₹19 crore from this scheme. However, against an annual property tax target of ₹160 crore for this fiscal year, officials have collected ₹43 crore to date. They aim to enhance the collection efforts next month when individuals are expected to pay their taxes for the current fiscal year to benefit from a 10% rebate.
Municipal teams are targeting PGs and migrant housing quarters as inspections continue in certain areas to identify defaulters. The OTS was initiated on May 15, granting defaulters time until July 31 to make payments. After two extensions, the new deadline is now August 31. Officials have dispatched teams to monitor areas such as BRS Nagar, Rajguru Nagar, and the premises behind the DC office complex, where commercial activities have surged.
Many residents have established PGs in their homes but have neglected to pay commercial tax to the civic body for multiple years. Officials anticipate increased tax collection in the coming weeks, as current year payments will also be processed. They project cumulative tax revenue to surpass ₹100 crore by the end of September.
MC Superintendent Vivek Verma stated, “The government is providing defaulters with an opportunity to settle their dues without interest or penalties, with the deadline extended for the third time. Residents should seize this chance because once the OTS concludes, penalties and interest will be enforced.”
Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar noted that through OTS, the MC is recovering numerous pending dues from defaulters, and those who previously ignored their dues are now being recorded by the MC.
Ward defence committee meetings perplex MC staff
As Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a drive to establish ward defence committees across 95 wards in the city, MC staff have also been assigned to these committees. Officials have indicated that they are instructed to conduct ward-level meetings and create groups to facilitate government notifications and issue proper ID cards. These residents will manage drug awareness programs and perform street plays in their neighborhoods, reporting any drug-related activities to the police. However, MC officials express concern about managing these meetings while also focusing on tax collection, especially since they lack expertise in drug-related matters.
