Rohtak MC targets 500 property owners with over Rs 1 lakh dues

As many as 500 property owners in the city have failed to pay property tax dues exceeding Rs one lakh, prompting the Rohtak Municipal Corporation (RMC) to initiate strict action. Out of these, 200 property owners have already been served notices, giving them a seven-day deadline to clear their outstanding dues or face the sealing of their properties. The process is underway to put others too on notice.

The issue was discussed in detail during the General House meeting of the MC held on Sunday. The proceedings highlighted the growing concern over tax defaulters and the civic body’s renewed efforts to boost property tax recovery.

“We have set a target of recovering Rs 2,800 lakh in property tax for the financial year 2025–26. So far, Rs 1,270 lakh has already been collected. The remaining amount will be recovered in the upcoming months,” said Anand Kumar Sharma, MC Commissioner, while presenting the report at the meeting.

Sharma added that seven properties were sealed recently after owners failed to pay dues despite repeated reminders. This action alone helped recover Rs 25.35 lakh in pending taxes from the defaulters.

To ensure continued efficiency in tax recovery, the MC has taken multiple steps. A total of 1.34 lakh property tax bills have been distributed to residents through a private agency. Additionally, 657 property IDs are currently under review for category updates, with dedicated field teams conducting site visits to ensure accurate assessments and records.

Highlighting the incorporation of technology into municipal services, the Commissioner revealed that an agreement was being finalised with a bank. As per the plan, the bank will provide AI Voice Services to send automated reminders to defaulters and also extend payment gateway facilities, simplifying the tax payment process for citizens.

In a bid to incentivise timely payments, the government had earlier announced a 10 per cent rebate on property tax dues paid before July 31, 2025. To accommodate the rush of last-minute payments, the MC operated with extended working hours from 6 am to 8 pm during the final week of July.

The Commissioner stressed that all these measures aimed at promoting transparency, boost revenue collection and enhance civic infrastructure. He appealed to residents to cooperate with the administration by clearing their dues on time and contributing to the city’s development.