Nashik Municipal Corporation Cracks Down on Major Property Tax Defaulters
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has taken a decisive step in its tax recovery efforts by issuing formal notices to 450 property tax defaulters. Each of these individuals or entities owes more than Rs 1 lakh in unpaid taxes, and they have been directed to clear their outstanding dues within a strict 15-day deadline.
Directive from Municipal Commissioner Spurs Action
This aggressive move follows explicit directives from Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri, who instructed the property tax department to identify and target major defaulters across all divisions. The initiative marks the beginning of an intensive recovery campaign aimed at bolstering municipal revenues.
Significant Shortfall in Tax Collection Targets
For the current financial year (2025-26), the civic body had set an ambitious property tax collection target of Rs 270 crore. However, as of February 10, NMC has managed to collect only Rs 215 crore. This leaves a substantial gap of Rs 55 crore that must be recovered in the remaining one-and-a-half months of the fiscal year.
Comparatively, during the same period in the previous financial year, NMC had collected Rs 220 crore. This indicates that this year's collection is Rs 5 crore lower than the performance on the corresponding date last year, highlighting the urgency of the recovery drive.
Election Duties Blamed for Initial Collection Lag
Civic officials have attributed the initial slowdown in tax collection to a significant number of NMC staff being engaged in election duties over the past three months. This diversion of personnel severely hampered recovery drives and administrative functions.
With civic elections now concluded, the administration has shifted its focus to accelerating tax recovery efforts in the final phase of the financial year. Divisional officers have been explicitly instructed to implement all necessary measures to maximise collections from defaulters.
Addressing a Massive Backlog of Unpaid Taxes
In addition to the current year's dues, the Nashik Municipal Corporation is grappling with outstanding property tax arrears that have accumulated over the past five to six years. This backlog has reached nearly Rs 500 crore, creating a significant financial burden.
An official stated, "The administration is now prioritising recovery of both the current year's dues and the substantial backlog. We are taking a dual approach to ensure comprehensive revenue mobilisation."
Funding Imperatives for Simhastha Kumbh Mela
The intensified recovery efforts are also driven by the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a major religious gathering that requires substantial infrastructure and development projects. NMC is obligated to contribute 20% of the total funding for these initiatives, necessitating a ramp-up in revenue mobilisation.
Officials emphasised that boosting tax collections is critical not only for meeting annual targets but also for fulfilling civic responsibilities associated with large-scale events like the Kumbh Mela. The notices to defaulters represent a key strategy in this broader financial planning effort.
