In a groundbreaking initiative targeting defaulters, the GBA conducted an auction on Saturday, selling seven properties within the East and North City Corporation boundaries to recover longstanding tax arrears.
Despite numerous notices and recovery efforts by the previous BBMP and the five newly established corporations under GBA, a significant number of property owners continue to neglect their tax obligations. With tax liabilities reaching ₹437 crore across nearly 7,000 properties in the city, civic authorities have resorted to property auctions as a final measure.
Out of the 25 properties listed in the East, 107 in the North, and 40 in the Central region, five units in the East and two in the North were successfully auctioned, while the properties in the Central area did not attract any bidders. Taking a firm stance on property tax delinquencies, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar remarked that some former legislators own properties, receive rental income, yet fail to fulfill their tax responsibilities. “If they are earning rent and not paying tax, what should the corporation do? Such properties will also be auctioned,” he warned.
The Times of India was present at the auction held in the East City Corporation. In the K R Puram division, 25 properties belonging to defaulters — including one valued at ₹17.9 crore, the highest on the list — were auctioned in the presence of Joint Commissioner Sudha. As the bidding began, 19 property owners hurried to settle their outstanding dues. Ultimately, five properties were sold, while one was withdrawn after it was discovered to be encroaching on a stormwater drain.
