PMC junks accidental insurance scheme for early taxpayers, banks on lottery scheme

Every year, the PMC appeals to citizens to pay their property tax within the first two months of the financial year and avail various benefits such as discount of 5 to 10 per cent in general tax component of property tax, in addition to the concession given for implementing eco-friendly projects such as vermicomposting, solar power generation and rainwater harvesting in the premises. But it has now discontinued the insurance scheme.

Municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar said, “The PMC has discontinued the accidental insurance scheme for timely payment of property tax as the insurance company was benefitting more from the scheme than the civic body and citizens. The PMC had paid around Rs 20 crore in premium to the company since its launch while it received a claim of Rs 3 crore for eligible citizens. However, the civic body is now working on a new insurance scheme.”

In 2018-19, the ruling BJP in PMC had declared the accidental insurance scheme with a maximum cover of Rs 5 lakh in case of accidental death of a citizen, who pays property tax to the municipal corporation. The scheme — named after Deendayal Upadhyay — was introduced to encourage property owners to pay taxes on time. The scheme included cover for accidental deaths, permanent total disablement as well as permanent partial disablement.

The municipal commissioner said this year, they are hoping that the lottery scheme will be a hit among the property owners and they pay the taxes on time. As part of the lottery scheme,  upto 45 property owners, who pay the complete taxes by July 31, will be eligible for the lottery in which five petrol cars, 15 electric bikes, 15 mobile phones and 10 laptops will be gifted to the winners.

“The citizens can be a part of the lottery system by paying the full propert tax by July 31,” said Ajeet Deshmukh, deputy municipal commissioner and incharge of the property tax department.

Last year, the PMC managed to collect Rs 800 crore as property tax in the first two months due to its insurance scheme and discount scheme. This year, it has collected Rs 400 crore in the first month due to the lottery scheme and discount scheme.

The property tax department has also intensified action against non-residential properties for pending dues and have sealed 400 properties in the last one month.