Under the visionary leadership of Deputy Chief Minister and State Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, the state government is launching an award scheme to celebrate and incentivize conscientious property taxpayers. This initiative recognizes the remarkable dedication of 660,785 property owners who have diligently fulfilled their tax obligations, resulting in collections exceeding 300 crores. A total of 45 rewards amounting to Rs 1 crore will be distributed to lottery winners, fostering a culture of on-time tax payments. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) initiated this commendable endeavour, setting a property tax collection target of Rs 2,318.1 crore for 2023–24, with innovation and vision at its core.
Under the visionary leadership of Deputy Chief Minister and State Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, the state government is preparing to introduce a prestigious award scheme to honour and incentivize diligent property taxpayers. DCM Pawar himself commends those citizens who have consistently upheld their property tax obligations, underscoring the pivotal role of this endeavour in ensuring punctual tax payments. To fortify this virtuous practice, the government has earmarked a generous sum of Rs 1 crore to be distributed among 45 fortunate lottery winners.
This initiative has led to a remarkable increase in tax compliance, with a staggering 660,785 property owners diligently fulfilling their tax responsibilities over the past two years, culminating in collections exceeding 300 crores. These substantial contributions empower the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to enhance the provision of vital services and amenities to its residents. In light of this remarkable success, Pawar also encourages other municipal corporations to replicate similar endeavours to motivate property taxpayers within their jurisdictions.
Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar stated that the remarkable surge in tax collections over the past two years serves as indisputable evidence of this initiative's resounding success, which not only guarantees timely tax payments but also fortifies the city's progress and overall welfare. The PMC officially unveiled the award program in March of this year, with a budgetary allocation of Rs 1 crore set aside for these appreciative rewards. Diligent taxpayers who fulfilled their levies before the August 2 deadline automatically qualified for these esteemed recognitions.
This commendable endeavour allowed taxpayers the opportunity to win prizes encompassing four-wheelers, two-wheelers, laptops, and mobile phones. The selection process was conducted fairly through an impartial lottery system, with Deputy Chief Minister Pawar gracing the award ceremony with his distinguished presence. The PMC has boldly set an ambitious property tax collection target of Rs 2,318.1 crore for the fiscal year 2023–24. Additionally, the civic administration anticipates receiving nearly Rs 300 crore from the water tax collected from residential properties, an integral component of property tax.
This multifaceted approach combines to elevate the anticipated total revenue from property tax to a substantial Rs 2618.15 crore. Following the removal of Octroi and the local body tax (LBT), property tax became the primary revenue source for the civic administration. The budget report indicates that by February 28, the civic body collected Rs 1,690 crore from about 8.8 lakh property owners, reflecting significant growth compared to the 2021–2022 fiscal year. This reaffirms the growing importance of property taxes in the city's fiscal landscape.
Innovation and vision have led the charge in this commendable initiative, further cementing Pune's status as a vibrant and forward-thinking city where fiscal responsibility is recognized, celebrated, and rewarded. The state government's commitment to recognizing and motivating conscientious taxpayers stands as a shining example of progressive governance, with its profound impact extending to enhance the quality of life for Pune's residents. As other cities take inspiration from this remarkable endeavour, the momentum of fiscal responsibility is poised to transcend regional boundaries, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all.
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