The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is taking decisive steps to ensure that over six lakh property tax defaulters, who have been issued demand notices, fulfill their obligations to the civic body. In a bid to streamline the process and remind defaulters of their dues, BBMP is set to introduce an Integrated Voice Response System (IVRS), mirroring practices commonly employed by financial institutions like banks. Munish Moudgil, the special commissioner for revenue, has confirmed to TOI that BBMP will soon implement IVRS to prompt tax defaulters akin to the reminders sent by banks to their customers. The civic body has initiated the process by floating a tender to hire a private agency to provide IVRS services for the next two years. With over 20 lakh properties registered under the A Khata or B Khata registry, BBMP has noted a significant shortfall in tax payments, with more than six lakh properties failing to clear their dues. The ramifications of delayed tax payments extend beyond financial penalties, potentially leading to criminal prosecution and property attachment. To alleviate the burden on revenue officials and ensure timely tax payments, BBMP has opted to leverage IVRS technology for reminder services. This approach is expected to streamline follow-ups with citizens, significantly reducing the workload of revenue personnel. Presently, revenue officials are tasked with making reminder calls and sending messages to defaulters. However, the introduction of IVRS will automate this process, allowing for hassle-free communication with thousands of citizens who are yet to settle their tax liabilities. In addition to serving as a reminder mechanism, BBMP plans to utilize the IVRS platform to gather feedback from citizens regarding their grievances through Sahaya 2.0 and other portals. The civic body aims to make approximately 60,000 to 70,000 phone calls daily to remind tax defaulters, leveraging an AI-based system for addressing citizen queries. By implementing IVRS technology, BBMP is taking proactive measures to enhance revenue collection efficiency while simultaneously easing the tax payment process for citizens. This initiative underscores the civic body's commitment to fostering transparency and accountability in municipal governance.