The extension given by the Pune Municipal Corporation to the property tax amnesty scheme has generated only a tepid response.
The civic body collected only Rs35crore from defaulters during the second phase of the scheme in February. Owners having defaults of up to Rs1crore can participate in the scheme. The civic administration had not allowed commercial properties to take benefit of this initiative in the last phase.
The scheme was extended in January and defaulters were allowed to pay the discounted rates till February 28. The first phase of the scheme in 2022 started on January 7 and ended on January 26. The PMC collected around Rs109 crore during this period. An extension was given following demand from elected members. The second phase started on February 9 and ended on February 28. During this period, the civic body collected Rs35 crore.
Under the amnesty scheme, 75% waiver on penalty will be given to property tax defaulters, if they pay the levy under this initiative. Any property owner, whose dues are up to Rs1crore can participate in this initiative. At the time of its introduction, commercial properties were allowed to take the benefit of the scheme, but the proposal was revised before its implementation and only residential properties can now avail of the benefit.
