PCMC bags first prize for property tax reforms

Awarded Rs 10 lakh under the Rajiv Gandhi Prashaskiya Gatimanta (PRAGATI) campaign for innovative measures to boost Property Tax collection.

With Pimpri Chinchwad undergoing rapid urban expansion, the number of properties in the city is growing each year. (Express archive photo)

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been awarded the first prize by the state government under the Rajiv Gandhi Prashaskiya Gatimanta (PRAGATI) campaign and competition for its innovative initiatives to improve property tax collection. PCMC has also received a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, as per a Government Resolution issued by the General Administration Department.

With Pimpri Chinchwad undergoing rapid urban expansion, the number of properties in the city is growing each year. Property tax serves as a vital revenue source for the municipal corporation to provide essential infrastructure and services to citizens. Recognising this, PCMC’s property tax department has implemented a series of reforms and digital interventions to boost tax revenue, officials said.

Key initiatives include the introduction of online payment systems, property attachment and auction mechanisms, geo-sequencing of properties, and assigning unique UPIC IDs to each property. These steps have directly contributed to a significant increase in tax collection.

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PCMC submitted a proposal outlining these reforms to the state’s PRAGATI campaign, where it was evaluated and selected by the State-level selection committee for the first prize.

In FY 2023-24 alone, Rs 554 crore was collected through online payments. Due to attractive tax rebates, Rs 449 crore was collected in the first quarter itself. Technology-driven initiatives and effective public awareness played a crucial role in this growth.

“This award from the state government is a moment of pride for all citizens of Pimpri Chinchwad. Property tax is the primary source of revenue for the Corporation and is essential for the city’s development. With just five days left for the close of the financial year 2024-25, I urge all property owners to pay their dues promptly and contribute to the growth of our city,” said Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh.

“The Property Tax Department has consistently implemented innovative strategies to enhance revenue. This award will further encourage our team to continue working with renewed enthusiasm. We will be launching even more extensive campaigns for property tax collection in the coming year,” Pradip Jambhale Patil, Additional Commissioner, PCMC.

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Key initiatives taken

Tax rebates for eco-friendly buildings, women property owners, and online payments
Campaigns like Mazi Milkat Mazi Aakarni (My Property, My Tax Assessment)
Restructuring of tax bills and launch of a formal Property Auction Policy
Integration with Bharat Bill Pay System
Use of data-driven decision-making for targeted outreach and awareness
100% distribution of property bills through women’s self-help groups under Project Siddhi
Use of mobile apps to update contact information and geo-tag properties
Drone-based surveys for identifying unregistered properties and assigning UPIC IDs

Record-breaking revenue growth

Thanks to these reforms, PCMC witnessed record property tax collections over the past three financial years:

Rs 628 crore in 2021-22
Rs 816 crore in 2022-23
Rs 977 crore in 2023-24

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