72 govt depts among property tax defaulters in Karnal

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 9

As many as 72 departments of the Centre and the state government are among the top defaulters of the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC), which is battling a financial crunch. These departments owe Rs 105 crore to the civic body. As per the authorities, most of them have not paid property tax since 2010, the inception of the KMC. The authorities have served notices on them, asking them to deposit the property tax or service charges.

Apart from the government departments, there are several commercial and residential buildings which owe around Rs 15 crore. The KMC authorities have asked the defaulters to deposit their dues at the earliest, otherwise action would be initiated against them. However, the state government has given relaxation of interest waiver till February 28 if the property tax is paid in a single installment.

The residents can deposit their property tax without any interest till February 28 as the government has given relaxation, said Haphool Singh, Superintendent, Tax Branch.

“We have identified 72 government departments which have around Rs 105 crore pending property and service tax,” he added.

Rajiv Mehta, Commissioner, KMC, said “We have served notices to the defaulters and asked them to contribute in the development of the city.”