Illegal colonies,rural areas may escape tax net

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi,issuing a public notice recently,had made it clear that owners of properties in rural areas and unauthorised colonies are liable to pay tax. As per rules,there is an exemption only for self-owned properties which are less than 200 sq m in area,it said.

The issue created an uproar at the Standing Committee meeting with several councillors of the ruling BJP raising objection to it. They were also supported by opposition Congress members,including Leader of Opposition J K Sharma.

The matter was raised by BJP councillor Sarita Chadhary after which Committee Chairman Yogender Chandolia said there should be a discussion on it. However,the BJP councillors continued to demand that tax should not be collected from owners of such properties and rushed to the well.

After nearly half-an-hour of ruckus,the meeting was adjourned without taking up the agenda.

MCD officials,however,maintained that as per rules,the owners of such properties are liable to pay property tax.

The cash-strapped civic body is focusing on collection of house tax as it is the main source of revenue for it.

MCD is conducting a survey of properties in the areas under its jurisdiction to identify house tax defaulters and has also announced a settlement scheme for ex-parte cases,which will be open till January 31,2011.