Faridabad civic body to intensify property tax recovery drive

The Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) is gearing up to intensify its efforts to recover outstanding dues, including property tax, as the current financial year nears its conclusion in less than three months. Authorities have announced plans to begin sealing properties belonging to major defaulters as part of the recovery drive.

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Notices have already been served or are in the process of being issued to those owing Rs 50,000 or more in dues. These properties would be sealed in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act, according to sources within the civic body. The total dues are reported to be between Rs 300 crore and Rs 350 crore, although an official figure has yet to be released.

Officials have cited the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections as a major factor contributing to the sluggish pace of recovery. With less than 90 days remaining in the financial year 2024-25, authorities are under pressure to ramp up efforts.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, the MCF Commissioner directed officials from all taxation zones to accelerate the drive. They have been instructed to ensure self-certification of property tax units to facilitate timely recovery from registered properties. Properties of defaulters who fail to clear their dues would be sealed, an official confirmed.

Additionally, the authorities are considering holding special camps to streamline the tax collection process. One of the key challenges is incorrect or outdated property ID entries, which have caused delays in self-certification and collection efforts. Currently, only about 25 per cent of the 7.07 lakh property units have been certified, leaving approximately 5.25 lakh units unaccounted for, sources say.

Property tax is a significant source of income for the civic body. However, legal disputes, changes in property ownership, unused or closed properties and government buildings have hindered the collection process. Recovery from government departments, which are among the major defaulters, has been particularly challenging.

Gaurav Antil, Additional Commissioner of MCF, said the corporation would soon implement sealing actions and other measures to ensure pending taxes are recovered within the remaining time frame.

The MCF’s concerted push aims to close the gap in tax collection before the end of the financial year and ensure the local government’s financial health remains stable.