Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation forms 50 special teams for collection of property tax

Municipal Corporation officials arguing with a shop owner in G.T.Road with regard to property collection in Vizianagaram.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation (VMC) has formed 50 special teams for the collection of property taxes to meet ₹52.2 crore target by end of the financial year 2024-25. So far, it has collected 26.6 crore from the property owners. The special teams focussed on shops and commercial complexes for the collection of property tax along with arrears. Heated arguments have become the order of the day as the teams warned of sealing the shops, if the arrears were not cleared immediately. Many traders who took the premises on rental basis argued that the special teams should meet the building owners instead of pressurising them for payment of dues.

As the owners are not available in many places, the officials of VMC asked the tenants to remit the amount to the Corporation and stop payment of rents to the owners concerned. Collection of property tax based on the values of the properties in the respective area is also causing an uproar. The residents argued that enhancement of taxes up to 15% has become a major financial burden on them. VMC officials say the taxes were reasonable in Vizianagaram  compared to other cities of the State.

VMC Commissioner Palli Nallanayya said it was the responsibility of every property owner to clear the tax arrears since the Corporation would spend the amount for civic amenities such as sanitation, drinking water and street lights and other facilities. “We have been creating awareness through audio and video programmes on the benefits of prompt payment of property tax. People pay electricity bills promptly and the same kind of attention and response are needed in payment of property taxes,” said Mr. Nallanayya while speaking to The Hindu.