PCMC cracks down on property tax defaulters with Seizures and Auctions

The Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is gearing up to take strict measures against property tax defaulters who have not settled their dues despite being offered multiple discounts through amnesty schemes in the past. Municipal Commissioner Ganesh Deshmukh stated that the civic body will soon embark on a campaign to seize the properties of defaulters. Subsequently, a public auction will be conducted to sell the confiscated movable or immovable properties, aiming to recover the outstanding dues. Currently, PCMC is in the process of assessing around 3.5 lakh properties in the municipal area. The total property tax collection for this fiscal year stands at Rs 2.48 billion to date. Under the authority granted by the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, specifically section 128 and schedule D rule 47, the municipality is empowered to sell seized properties or attach them to recuperate pending dues, and PCMC intends to adhere to these regulations. To facilitate property tax payments, the civic body has implemented various measures. Regular property tax payers are eligible for relief in penalties, ranging from 100% to 25%. For property owners dealing with issues related to natural justice and desiring to contest property tax assessments under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, the civic body has provided a provision. In the event of non-payment of property tax, a monthly 2% increase in penalties has been enforced. To raise awareness among citizens, information has been disseminated through loudspeakers in four zones via auto-rickshaws. Additionally, PCMC has introduced the PCMC Pay Tax app for convenient online property tax payments, and citizens can also utilise panvelmc(dot)org to fulfil their property tax obligations.