The Kalaburagi district has garnered attention following a remarkable increase in property tax collection, achieving a recovery rate of 89.8%—the highest at the district level. Historically, gram panchayats within the district collected between Rs 10-15 crore annually. However, collections have surged significantly over the past two years, reaching Rs 25.8 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 33.4 crore as of March 31, 2025-26.
Out of the 261 gram panchayats in the district, 71 attained a 100% property tax collection rate, while over 90 exceeded the 90% threshold. Officials indicated that this represents the highest recovery rate observed in the past nine years. In previous years, there were reports of inadequate collection efforts, but a determined initiative led by zilla panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena has altered this trend.
Authorities took action by suspending certain PDOs and withholding pay raises for 18 PDOs due to their lack of engagement with residents. In response, officials implemented doorstep collection strategies. It has been noted that 90% of residents willingly pay their property tax when visited by gram panchayat staff at their homes.
This year, no taluk in the district was classified as drought-prone, despite the absence of separate emergency funds and the delayed release of grants from the 15th Finance Commission. Officials stated that the enhanced tax collection would facilitate local development projects under these circumstances. The district has collected Rs 7.7 crore in property tax from sugar and cement industries this year.
Key contributors included Shree Cement (Rs 2.6 crore), Ultratech Cement (Rs 1.4 crore), Adani Cement (Rs 1 crore), KPR Sugar (Rs 82.1 lakh), Chettinad Cement (Rs 70.5 lakh), Sagar Cement (Rs 37.6 lakh), NSL Sugar (Rs 31 lakh), Renuka Sugar (Rs 19 lakh), Ugar Sugars (Rs 17 lakh), and Clean Maps Solar (Rs 9 lakh). By the end of February, total collections amounted to Rs 24.5 crore. As of February, the district was ranked 26th in the state for property tax recovery. However, reforms implemented in March and enhanced monitoring at the field level resulted in an additional Rs 8.9 crore collected between March 1 and 31, elevating the district’s ranking by 10 places to 16th position.
Meena stated, “With the oversight of RDPR minister Priyank Kharge, the initiatives implemented for tax collection have produced favorable outcomes. This time, approximately 90% of the tax has been gathered, which will enhance the financial stability of the village panchayats.”
