With the financial year set to conclude in March, the Municipal Corporation (MC) of Chandigarh has initiated a major crackdown on property tax defaulters. The drive focuses on recovering outstanding dues from both residential and commercial property owners to boost revenue collection before the fiscal year-end.
Focus on High-Value Defaulters and Bulk Notices
Officials have begun sending out bulk recovery notices, prioritizing those with significant outstanding amounts. The primary targets are high-value defaulters across the city. According to MC records, the tax branch has managed to collect approximately Rs 84 crore in the current fiscal year so far. A detailed breakdown shows that Rs 53 crore originated from commercial properties, while Rs 31 crore came from residential ones.
Residential Defaulters in Majority, Legal Cases Pending
Sources indicate that since most properties in Chandigarh fall under the residential category, this segment also has the maximum number of defaulters. Notices are being dispatched accordingly to address this large pool. The situation is further complicated by several pending court cases in both residential and commercial categories, which officials acknowledged are slowing down the recovery process.
Strict Actions: Sealing and Water Disconnection
The municipal body is not hesitating to use its strongest enforcement tools. For commercial property owners who fail to clear their dues within a month, the MC may issue sealing notices as a final resort. On the residential front, the corporation has already begun the process of disconnecting water supply connections to defaulting households. The clear objective is to maximise revenue recovery before the March 31 deadline.
Property tax, along with service charges, remains a cornerstone of the MC's revenue stream. The intensified efforts come as a response to years of accumulated arrears from many defaulters, who have ignored repeated reminders. Notices have now been formally sent to these owners, urging immediate payment to avoid severe consequences.
