Bidhannagar Civic Body to levy penalty on property tax dues from April 1

Starting from April 1, BMC announced that it would initiate the collection of a 10% penalty and 10% interest on property tax arrears. The calculation would be based on the dues as of March 31 this year. A target of collecting Rs 400 million from property tax in the current financial year, ending on March 31, has been set by the civic body. The original plan was for the penalty and interest to be payable from October 1 of the previous year, but the civic authorities decided to defer the implementation of this plan. Officials stated that it would be more convenient for the authorities to calculate and apply the penalty and fine on arrears for all four quarters of the year instead of applying the penalty and interest for the first two quarters and then recalculating the arrears for the third and fourth quarters. Taxpayers have the option to either pay online, generating demand notices through their assessee number, or make payments in cash, cheque, or demand draft at designated bank branches and tax collection offices between 11 am to 3 pm on any working day. Additionally, authorities have been organizing doorstep property tax collection camps for taxpayers in the Rajarhat-Gopalpur area. Furthermore, authorities are planning to commence the collection of property tax from April 1 for residents of four BMC wards ? 27, 28, 35, and 36 ? encompassing a vast area including Mahisbathan, Nayapatti, and the extensive bheri areas off EM Bypass. These residents, who still pay 'khajna' or land revenue to the local panchayat or BLRO office, will also be able to conduct mutation of properties.