Housing societies have been asked to submit by Feb 15 applications seeking up to 10% rebate on property tax in 2025-26 financial year for implementing green initiatives like vermiculture composting, solar energy and rainwater harvesting. The civic administration has warned of revoking the benefit if the projects are found non-functional.
Officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said societies and property owners can submit applications at the local ward offices during working hours. It has also issued a public notice in newspapers in this regard.
As per PMC’s environment status report for 2023-24, as many as 1.28 lakh properties opted for a rebate in the last financial year under various categories. These included 83,300 for rainwater harvesting and vermicomposting, and more than 4,500 properties for all three — rainwater harvesting, vermicomposting, and solar energy.Under section 140(B) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, societies/owners having implemented one project will receive a 5% rebate while those with two projects will be eligible for a 10% rebate on property tax.
However, a civic official said spot inspections have found many defaulters. “In cases where projects are not running properly, the rebate granted will be withdrawn.”
Officials from PMC’s solid waste management department said meetings were held last year with housing societies to create awareness of vermicomposting and rainwater harvesting projects. Prasad Kale from a housing society in Navi Peth said PMC should target the errant societies and educate people on how the projects can run without failure. The civic administration should provide more details, Viraj Mehendale, a resident of a housing society in Sinhagad Road, said.
