The municipal administration in Ludhiana is intensifying efforts to optimize property tax revenue by targeting longstanding arrears from government entities. The Municipal Corporation (MC) is engaging with various departments, offering settlement opportunities without additional penalties. Notices have been dispatched to entities, including the police department, with an estimated sum of Rs 15 crore. The MC, aiming for Rs 130 crore in the current fiscal year, has already recovered over Rs 105 crore. Municipal Commissioner Sandeep Rishi emphasizes the duty of government entities to clear outstanding dues promptly. Persistent efforts include notices to the DC office, court complex, and other departments, reflecting a commitment to financial transparency and civic welfare.
In the pursuit of optimizing revenue from property taxes, the municipal administration in Ludhiana has recommenced its initiative to recover longstanding arrears from government entities that have deferred their tax obligations over several fiscal periods. Representatives from the municipal corporation (MC) are actively engaging with these governmental bodies, presenting persuasive arguments to motivate them to settle their outstanding liabilities. This engagement extends an offer of settlement without the imposition of additional interest and penalties, an opportunity these entities are being urged to seize. Operating from the central headquarters, the MC's team has dispatched correspondence to the pertinent zones, directing them to scrutinize departments that have fallen behind in discharging their property tax commitments. Subsequently, notices are being dispatched to these departments, formalizing the imperative for settlement and recovery. It is underscored that this endeavour extends to even the police department, with a particular focus on securing property tax dues emanating from the commissioner's office, police stations, and other related properties. A preliminary estimation posits that the sum attributable to the police department is of the order of Rs 15 crore. To bolster this pursuit, the MC has already, in the previous fiscal year, issued notices to the police department, resulting in a remittance of Rs 1.5 crore. The police department, in response, has pledged to expedite the clearance of the remaining outstanding dues in the near future. Reiterating these efforts, one official elucidated the MC's commitment to presenting a one-time settlement proposition to those government entities found in default. The municipal body has, in the ongoing fiscal year, already managed to recoup a sum exceeding Rs 105 crore in property tax arrears. The targeted figure for the current fiscal term is Rs 130 crore, and the officials are diligently working towards achieving this milestone by the conclusion of December. In the antecedent fiscal year, surpassing the initial target of Rs 100 crore, the MC garnered a commendable Rs 122 crore. The Municipal Commissioner, Sandeep Rishi, expressed the imperative nature of recuperating dues from each property tax defaulter, emphasizing the duty of government entities to expeditiously address and clear their outstanding financial obligations. It is noteworthy that the municipal body has persistently issued notices to various governmental departments and offices over the preceding years. These include the DC office situated within the mini-secretariat, the court complex, the police commissioner's office, Ludhiana Improvement Trust, Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority, PWD (B&R) office, civil surgeon’s office, government schools, circuit house, PAU, GADVASU, and offices affiliated with the sewerage board, among others. Although partial payments have been forthcoming from certain departments, a significant number remain yet to step forward and rectify their fiscal discrepancies. In conclusion, Ludhiana's municipal administration made vigorous efforts to recover property tax arrears, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and equitable contribution. The drive to offer settlement opportunities reflects a commitment to financial transparency and civic welfare. As the municipal body pursues revenue targets, collaborative cooperation from government entities is crucial for Ludhiana's sustainable development.
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