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The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has collected INR 39.36 lakh in property tax from 276 property owners within the first three days of its One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for tax defaulters. Launched on August 15, the initiative offers a full waiver of interest and surcharge when eligible taxpayers clear their principal dues in a single payment. The civic body has also introduced an instalment facility for taxpayers with dues of up to INR 1 lakh. The scheme will remain open until December 15, giving defaulters a wider window to settle pending municipal taxes.
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has recorded an early response to its One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, with 276 property owners clearing INR 39.36 lakh in property tax during the first three days of the initiative. The scheme is aimed at encouraging defaulters to settle outstanding municipal dues by offering relief on additional charges.
Under the arrangement, taxpayers who pay their entire principal property tax liability in one go can receive a complete waiver of accumulated interest and surcharge. The municipal corporation has also provided an instalment option for small and medium taxpayers, making the settlement mechanism accessible to those who may not be able to clear their dues through a single payment.
The OTS scheme came into effect on August 15 and is scheduled to remain operational until December 15. The four-month window is intended to give property tax defaulters sufficient time to assess their outstanding liabilities and take advantage of the concessions before the deadline.
According to the civic body's scheme, taxpayers with outstanding dues of up to INR 1 lakh can opt for a structured payment plan. Such taxpayers are required to deposit one-third of their outstanding amount during the first 30 days, while the balance can be paid in two equal monthly instalments. The provision is expected to make it easier for smaller taxpayers to regularise their accounts without having to arrange the entire amount upfront.
The initial collection indicates that the waiver of interest and surcharge is encouraging some property owners to clear their principal liabilities. In the first three days, the INR 39.36 lakh collected from 276 owners was accompanied by a waiver of INR 7.18 lakh in interest and surcharge, according to municipal authorities.
The initiative covers defaulters of property tax as well as other municipal levies, including water and sewer-related taxes. By combining a waiver-based settlement with an instalment facility, the civic body is seeking to improve compliance while accelerating revenue collection from long-pending dues.
Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal said the complete waiver applies to interest and surcharge when the principal outstanding amount is paid in full at one time. The corporation is also encouraging eligible taxpayers to use the settlement period rather than allowing arrears to accumulate further.
For the municipal administration, the scheme provides an opportunity to convert outstanding tax liabilities into immediate revenue while reducing the burden of accumulated penalties on property owners. For taxpayers, the waiver can lower the cost of settling old dues and provide a route towards bringing their municipal tax records up to date.
The response during the opening days will also offer the civic body an indication of how many defaulters are willing to regularise their accounts when financial relief is linked to timely payment. With the OTS facility continuing until December 15, the corporation is expected to focus on wider outreach and encourage more eligible property owners to come forward before the settlement window closes.
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