Kolhapur Civic Body Initiates Aggressive Crackdown on Tax and Rent Defaulters
The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has escalated its enforcement measures against individuals and businesses failing to pay municipal taxes and rents, implementing a series of stringent actions this week. Since Tuesday, the civic body has been actively disconnecting water connections and sealing properties and shops belonging to defaulters who have ignored repeated notices to clear their outstanding dues.
Sealing of Commercial Properties Intensifies
On Wednesday, the KMC's estate department took decisive action by sealing five shops located within the Panjarpol Industrial Estate. These commercial units were leased out by the municipal corporation itself. This followed similar action taken just a day prior, on Tuesday, when three shops in the Ch Tararani Market were also sealed for non-payment of rent.
KMC Estate Officer Vilas Salokhe provided detailed insight into the ongoing campaign. "The estate department has been issuing instructions to tenants periodically regarding the clearance of previous arrears and the payment of municipal corporation shop rent for the financial year 2025-26," Salokhe stated. "Due to continued negligence and non-compliance from the tenants, we proceeded with sealing these five shops. Our strategy involves not only sealing the premises of defaulters but also registering a lien amount on the properties, and this rigorous action will persist."
Water Supply Disconnections for Residential Apartments
Parallel to the commercial crackdown, the KMC has targeted residential defaulters by disconnecting water supply connections. Specific action was taken against apartments in the Chambukhadi and Puikhadi areas. One apartment in Chambukhadi was found to have accumulated arrears totaling Rs 6.5 lakh, while another in Puikhadi owed Rs 6 lakh in unpaid dues.
KMC Water Supply Engineer Harshjit Ghatge elaborated on the legal framework and broader scope of the disconnection drive. "We have disconnected the water connections of both these apartments as a direct consequence of their substantial arrears," Ghatge explained. "Notices have been formally issued to approximately 8,000 defaulters whose outstanding amounts exceed Rs 20,000 each. In accordance with the provisions under section 481(1) and (2) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, further action will involve registering a charge on the income related to these respective arrears. All defaulters are hereby instructed to settle their dues immediately to avoid more severe penalties."
The municipal corporation's aggressive stance underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards financial delinquency, aiming to recover significant revenue lost to unpaid taxes and rents. This coordinated effort between the estate and water supply departments marks a significant escalation in civic enforcement within Kolhapur.
