Nagpur: Cracking the whip on chronic property tax defaulters, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Thursday intensified its citywide recovery drive, collecting Rs 1.51 crore in a single day while seizing several high-value properties across multiple zones. The aggressive campaign, which will continue until September 30, aims to recover a staggering Rs 1,000 crore in outstanding property tax dues.
The civic administration has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards tax evasion, with recovery teams prioritising major commercial establishments and habitual defaulters. Notices are being served and coercive action, including property seizure, is being initiated against those failing to clear long-pending arrears.
In one of the biggest actions of the day, the Nehru Nagar Zone seized a prominent celebration lawn after its owners failed to pay Rs 90.36 lakh in property tax despite repeated notices. Civic officials pasted a seizure warrant at the entrance of the premises, signalling the commencement of legal recovery proceedings.
The crackdown extended across the city. The Hanuman Nagar Zone seized nearly 10 properties, while the Gandhibagh Zone launched seizure proceedings against 11 properties. Faced with imminent action, five property owners immediately cleared their dues, enabling the civic body to recover Rs 3.23 lakh through cheques. The remaining six properties were subsequently seized.
The drive is being undertaken on the instructions of Mayor Neeta Thakre and under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar, who has directed all zonal offices to intensify recovery efforts and take strict action against major tax defaulters.
The NMC has once again appealed to property owners to pay their outstanding taxes without delay, warning that those who ignore notices will face seizure of properties and other legal measures under the provisions of the Municipal Act.
