The Trichy Corporation has embarked on a drive to retrieve property tax and other user charge arrears amounting to Rs 42 crore, by preparing a list of top 100 defaulters. The civic body has set a target for officials to complete the tax collection before May 1.
While commercial properties face lock and seal warning, the civic body is terminating drinking water connections in houses that are yet to pay the dues. On an average, about 200 water connections are terminated daily.
The civic body said fund crunch has hit the operation and maintenance activities. Officials claimed that if it escalates, it would delay the salaries and pensions of employees.
Considering the situation, assistant commissioners, revenue officers and bill collectors were directed to collect the arrears in property tax, water charge and underground drainage (UGD) user fee through a door-to-door survey. With a non-existent council and assembly election result awaited, the corporation is utilising the opportunity by cracking the whip on commercial establishments that have leased the properties.
The tough measures such as lock and seal, disconnection of water connections have helped the local body collect arrears for around Rs 1 to Rs 2 crore per day in the past two weeks. If the entire dues are paid, the water connection will be restored free of cost, officials said.
When asked about the delayed action against lessees who defaulted on payment for decades, the civic body blamed the political influence for hindering the revenue generation. “We have collected around 68% of arrears in property taxes and water tax since 2019. Revenue wing will collect at least 90% of the arrears before May 1. The drive will go on even during the weekends,” corporation commissioner and special officer S Sivasubramanian told .