PCMC building to be regularized by the newly formed committee
Earlier this week, it had been reported that almost 2 lakh properties in Pimpri Chinchwad were not registered with the civic body, causing a huge loss of money, which would otherwise have been collected as property tax. To study the demand for regularizing such unauthorized constructions, a committee has been formed by the government. This committee would be headed by Swadhin Kshatriya, who is the additional chief secretary of the revenue department. This information was given by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chauhan, during a political delegation.
According to surveys conducted, about 70,000 residential properties were set up in Pimpri Chinchwadi, within 2.5 years. This figure reveals that the appreciate rate was 6-7% as compared with what it was in 2009-2010. Apart from residential properties, a 10% hike was recorded in the number of commercial structures too. When counted altogether, not less than 5 lac properties are currently developed in Pimpri, out of which only 3.5 lac of properties are registered as per 2011 census. The survey conducted by waste-pickers helped in calculating the approximate figure of properties that were unauthorized. They informed that they used to collect waste from about 5.6 lac buildings, a figure which was not recorded by the civic body.
Demands by political parties
During the delegation, which was attended by prominent political leaders and supporters, several demands were put forward. It was earlier informed that tax assessment of all properties, including the unauthorized constructions built after March 31, 2012, would be conducted. The civic property tax department will conduct tax assessment of all properties. A penalty of twice the property tax was planned to be collected form owners of unauthorized constructions. However, during the delegation, party leaders demanded that same should be abolished.
Barne informed that thousands of people had gathered at Bhakti Shakti chowk in Nigdi on Pune-Mumbai highway on Monday demanding regularization of unauthorized constructions in Pimpri Chinchwad. They demanded the stoppage of the demolition drive against illegal structures. They then proceeded their march to the state legislature in Mumbai.
Mr. Pardeshi had informed that effective methods would be undertaken, to boost property tax collection. He had also mentioned about conducting a survey in September and getting it completed it in three months. Through 3.6 lac of registered buildings, PCMC had earned about Rs. 300 crore, in the year 2012-2013. If the new properties were authorized, the revenue would have increased by 150 crore. The civic body is losing a huge amount of money because of the properties that are currently not registered. In addition to it, local body tax replaced the old system of Octroi, which earlier helped the civic body earn around Rs.293 crore. This year, in the first three months, the corporation earned only around Rs 220 crore through LBT and escort fee, revealing revenue shortfall of Rs 73 crore.
