Bengaluru's civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has announced plans to extend its 'Road Reader' initiative, adding property tax data to the existing QR code system on street nameboards. This innovative measure is intended to boost awareness about property tax payments and enhance collection rates. BBMP's Special Commissioner (Finance) Jayaram Raipura said the initiative would "nudge defaulters" and promote civic duty, with a Rs 1.5 crore investment planned to expand the project.
In a unique step towards public engagement and property tax compliance, Bengaluru's civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), is set to incorporate property tax information into its innovative 'Road Reader' initiative.
The recently introduced 'Road Reader' pilot program was initiated in the Koramangala and Basavanagudi districts of Bengaluru as a pioneering endeavour to improve communication between citizens and the local government. This initiative empowers residents to gain information about their locality through QR codes positioned on street nameboards.
At present, when citizens scan these QR codes, they obtain information about the stretch of road, including contact information for the local municipal services such as sweepers and waste collectors, and even their local representative. In an extension to this plan, BBMP is considering the incorporation of property tax data into these QR codes.
According to Jayaram Raipura, Special Commissioner (Finance) at BBMP, this added feature will provide public access to a list of property owners who have settled their taxes, as well as those who haven't. This transparency, Raipura believes, will bolster BBMP's efforts to create property tax awareness, thereby enhancing its collection rates.
"We aim to foster a culture of on-time tax payment and community participation. This initiative will effectively nudge defaulters while appreciating those who fulfil their civic duties promptly," said Raipura.
BBMP has planned to broaden the scope of the 'Road Reader' project, with a proposed investment of Rs 1.5 crore. The expansion will ensure that more areas benefit from this innovative initiative, making information readily available and promoting an active citizen-government relationship.
In conclusion, BBMP's innovative move to incorporate property tax information into QR codes signifies an advanced step in the civic body's attempt to create an open, transparent governance system. This 'Road Reader' initiative holds immense promise for fostering public engagement and strengthening the financial sustainability of the civic body through improved tax collection.
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