MC’s UPIN affixation process delayed over lack of inspectors
Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 3
Lack of inspectors in the Property Tax Branch of the Municipal Corporation (MC) has put officials in a fix over the fixation of UPIN plates outside properties. The task initiated to ensure accountability of property owners for payment of property tax is being carried out under the supervision of only three inspectors.
The Municipal Corporation’s (MC) Property Tax Department is affixing unique permanent identification numbers (UPIN) outside all properties under the ambit of the corporation. The corporation officials have to cover 1.40 lakh commercial, residential and mix use properties in the city divided into 25 blocks.
Officials said till date, the department has affixed the unique permanent identification numbers (UPIN) outside properties in 14 blocks while the work in remaining 11 blocks is going on. The officials have also started facing problems over people having removed the UPIN numbers due to ignorance.
A department employee said: “There are only three inspectors in the department and the work has been divided among them. The department has eight posts of inspector. The work has been going on since November, but has not come to an end.”
Another official in the department said: “People should understand that the UPIN numbers are a means to pay property tax amount without hassle.”
Meanwhile, the department has already sent notices to people to pay their outstanding property tax amounts. Officials said the delay in paying the amount would lead to increased charge, including 18 per cent interest and 20 per cent penalty on the property tax amount.
Raminder Singh, superintendent, MC Property Tax Department, said: “We are doing the work with the manpower we have. The affixation work is scheduled to be completed in February.”
