Mohali Municipal Corporation to Eliminate Property Tax Photo Submission Mandate
In a significant policy reversal aimed at easing compliance burdens, the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) has announced plans to roll back the requirement for residents to submit front and back photographs of their houses when depositing property tax. This decision comes directly from Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu, who acknowledged widespread concerns raised by councillors during a recent MC House meeting.
Councillors Highlight Resident Apprehensions Over Photo Clause
The issue gained prominence when councillors reported that numerous homeowners were deliberately avoiding property tax payments due to the photograph submission clause. According to their observations, many residents have undertaken construction work in their backyards and are awaiting approval under the need-based changes policy. These homeowners fear that submitting photographs could potentially trigger violation notices from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada), creating a significant deterrent to tax compliance.
Mayor Sidhu explicitly recognized this concern, stating that the condition has inadvertently contributed to a noticeable decline in property tax collection figures. "We have sensed the problem, and I will soon issue directions to roll back the practice of asking for photographs of houses," Sidhu affirmed. "We have also learnt that people, out of fear, are not depositing property tax, which is causing significant revenue loss to the MC."
Property Tax Collection Falls Short of Annual Target
Official records reveal the tangible impact of this compliance issue on municipal finances. The MC had established an ambitious target of Rs 55 crore for property tax collection during the 2025–26 financial year. However, current collections stand at only Rs 46.88 crore, resulting in a substantial shortfall of Rs 8.12 crore—representing approximately a 15 per cent deficit against the annual goal.
Councillor and former deputy mayor Manjit Singh Sethi strongly emphasized this financial concern during the House meeting, calling for greater accountability. "Property tax is one of the primary sources of income for the MC. A deficit of around 15 per cent is a serious concern and must be thoroughly examined," Sethi asserted, urging the administration to identify responsible officials for the collection shortfall.
MC House Approves Major Expansion of Sanitation Workforce
In parallel developments, the Municipal Corporation House has cleared several proposals designed to strengthen civic services following the expansion of municipal limits. The most notable measure involves a substantial increase in sanitation manpower alongside the regularisation of long-serving workers.
Comprehensive Staff Augmentation for Newly Included Areas
During the House meeting, councillors passed an agenda item proposing significant recruitment to address service needs in newly incorporated regions. The planned augmentation includes:
- Approximately 1,000 sanitation workers
- 50 sewer maintenance personnel
- 50 servants
- Additional supporting staff members
This strategic hiring initiative aims to ensure efficient waste management and sewer maintenance as the city's jurisdictional boundaries continue to expand.
Regularisation of Long-Serving Workers and Enhanced Oversight
A pivotal decision involved the regularisation of sanitation workers and sewer men who have been employed on DC rates for more than three years. Councillors emphasized that these individuals have dedicated years of service to the civic body and deserve corresponding job security and employment benefits.
Mayor Sidhu further highlighted the need for supervisory oversight, stating, "We also need to appoint senior-ranked officers to monitor the work of sanitation workers, sewer men, and servants, along with additional supporting staff. The need to recruit Station House Officers, Junior Engineers, and even Superintending Engineers has also arisen."
Employee Welfare and Additional Governance Measures
The House also addressed concerns regarding employee benefits, noting that workers employed since 2014 had been receiving Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Employee State Insurance (ESI) benefits until 2023, after which these provisions were discontinued. Councillors recommended immediate restoration of these essential welfare benefits.
In other significant decisions:
- The MC resolved to reclaim taxi stands from deceased allottees and reallocate them through a fresh, transparent process to ensure optimal utilization of public assets.
- To improve revenue collection mechanisms, councillors proposed writing to the government to expand the property tax instalment scheme, making it easier for residents to pay dues in manageable, phased increments.
- Considering the expanding municipal limits, the House suggested increasing the number of wards from the existing structure to between 50 and 80 wards to ensure better representation and more effective local governance.
Councillors unanimously agreed that these comprehensive measures are necessary to align infrastructure and workforce capacity with Mohali's rapid urban growth, ultimately improving service delivery across all municipal functions.
