Property owners in Bengaluru are requesting Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to prolong the 5% property tax rebate for an additional month, extending beyond the current deadline of April 30.
According to BBMP regulations, this rebate is only available to those who settle their tax obligations within the first month of the financial year, which begins in April. Residents contend that the BBMP property tax portal was non-operational until April 5 due to technical issues, resulting in insufficient time for taxpayers to fulfill their payments. This situation, coupled with confusion regarding the newly implemented Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee, has led to significant frustration among the populace. Rajesh K, a property owner from JP Nagar, expressed, ‘Why should we forfeit the rebate when the BBMP itself was unprepared? We lost crucial days because the portal was not operational.’
Property owners have expressed significant concerns regarding the SWM user fee structure. Numerous residents of apartments have indicated that they are being billed for individual SWM fees, even though their communities handle waste management independently through composting or authorized private vendors.
Although there have been assurances of exemptions for bulk waste generators, these are contingent upon physical inspections by BBMP officials at a future date, a situation that residents fear may result in harassment and corruption. ‘Currently, we are being charged twice, both individually and at the community level.
In the future, they may impose penalties following inspections. There is total uncertainty,’ stated Meenakshi R, a resident of Whitefield. Civic organizations are urging BBMP to abolish the new SWM fee structure for this financial year and return to the previous system of a flat cess of ₹360 per property. They contend that the abrupt changes, inadequate communication, and lack of transparency have unjustly placed a burden on law-abiding taxpayers.
Prolonging the deadline would alleviate taxpayer concerns and help rebuild trust in the BBMP. As the end of April draws near, property owners are anticipating a prompt and positive reply.
