NMC sends notices over Rs 8 crore tax dues on Kachipura lawns, eateries

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has intensified its property tax recovery drive, this time targeting major defaulters in the Kachipura and Central Bazar Road areas under the Laxmi Nagar zone.

The NMC's revenue department ran a special drive against well known lawns, eateries and other properties in the area that had large tax dues pending. Tax inspectors carried out warrant action and issued notices to eight property owners. Their combined dues add up to more than Rs 8 crore.

The notices carry a clear warning that if the outstanding tax is not paid, the civic body may take further action, including disconnecting water supply. The NMC has also said it reserves the right to disconnect the sewage and drainage connection of a property from the public network in case of continued default.

The NMC has been stepping up action against major defaulters. Earlier, only notices were sent, but over the past two years the civic body has gone as far as sealing properties and carrying out symbolic seizures.

Among the properties acted against, the largest dues are on open plot number 1924 in Somalwada, registered in the name of Fatima Siddiqui. This property has had Rs 4.74 crore in dues pending since 2001.

The properties notified by the Laxmi Nagar zone are as follows. Sai Vatika, owned by Suresh Verma, owes Rs 82.56 lakh since 2017. Jagdish Saoji alias Jagdish Kachi owes Rs 19.48 lakh since 2007. Bharat Lawn, owned by Mahesh Verma, owes Rs 44.03 lakh since 2009. Sanman Lawn, Santosh Bhojnalaya and Sanman Nursery, registered in the name of Devrao Bhongade, owe Rs 42.91 lakh since 2012. Sujal Saoji, owned by Jialal Shakya, owes Rs 12.13 lakh since 2014. Better Home, owned by Dheeraj Shakya, owes Rs 34.12 lakh since 2008. Sardar Ki Rasoi, owned by Babulal Shakya, owes Rs 1.71 crore since 2008. And open plot number 1924 in Somalwada, owned by Fatima Siddiqui, owes Rs 4.74 crore since 2001.

The action is part of the NMC's larger mission to recover Rs 1,000 crore in property tax by the end of September.

Officials are focusing particularly on major defaulters, expecting that recovery from high-value properties will significantly boost the corporation's overall revenue collection.

The NMC is also acting against people living illegally in some of the properties, though some owners have obtained a stay from the High Court against eviction action. Tax recovery notices have been sent for the properties concerned in the meantime.