The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a major crackdown on property tax defaulters, identifying a staggering 40,000 houses in the city whose owners have failed to pay their dues for the last three consecutive years. The civic body is set to issue formal notices to all these owners, initiating strict recovery proceedings against those who do not comply.
Strict Timeline and Recovery Measures
According to PMC officials, the identified defaulters will be served notices personally by corporation staff. Property owners will be given a strict 15-day window from the date of notice service to clear all their outstanding dues. If the tax is not deposited within this stipulated period, the PMC will begin attachment proceedings against the property.
To ensure proper legal service, PMC staff will personally deliver the notices. In cases where occupants are not found at the address, the notice will be pasted prominently on the door or wall of the building. The process will be documented with photographic and video evidence to serve as proof of service in any future legal matters.
Scale of Default and City's Tax Base
PMC's chief tax assessment officer, PK Mishra, provided detailed insights into the city's tax landscape. Prayagraj has a total of 100 electoral wards, with 20 of these falling under the recently extended municipal area. The population in these wards exceeds 20 lakh (2 million).
Official records show the city has approximately 2.5 lakh (250,000) domestic buildings and nearly 22,000 commercial buildings. Out of these, about 1.49 lakh (149,000) property owners are regular with their house tax payments. The remaining nearly 40,000, who have defaulted for three years straight, have now been placed on the department's priority enforcement list.
Severe Consequences for Persistent Defaulters
The corporation has decided to implement measures that go beyond simple property attachment for those who remain non-compliant. Buildings that continue in default even after attachment proceedings will face disconnection of their municipal water supply and sewer connections.
Once disconnected, property owners will have to apply afresh for restoration. They will be required to pay all prescribed reconnection charges in addition to clearing the entire backlog of pending tax dues. If taxes related specifically to water and sewer connections are also pending, those amounts will be recovered simultaneously with the outstanding house tax.
The PMC has issued a stern warning regarding attached properties. Seals placed on buildings during attachment will be removed only after the owner deposits all dues and produces valid payment receipts. Breaking seals without official permission will invite serious legal action, including the registration of criminal cases against the offender.
Officials stated that preparations for this large-scale drive are nearly complete. The move is squarely aimed at improving the city's tax recovery rates and ensuring wider compliance, which is crucial for funding civic amenities and infrastructure projects across Prayagraj.
