Tax is the task

Now, VMC staff have to pay from their pockets, if the civic body finds deviation in tax assessment

Erring Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) employees may have to pay from their pockets, if any deviations in tax assessments were found hereafter.

The VMC higher-ups will take up random inspection of the properties after November 7 to check un-assessed, usage of properties and vacant lands. The revenue wing employees will have to ensure that there are no properties and vacant lands left un-assessed in the city. More so, they will have to ensure that usage of property is in accordance with the tax collected.

Speaking to The Hindu, Municipal Commissioner C. Hari Kiran said: “The employee concerned will have to cough up the difference amount, if the assessments do not match the ground realty.”

“The employees have been told that they can’t take the VMC for a ride as any laxity and dereliction of duty would impact the finances of the Corporation as payment of salaries would be a challenge,” he said, adding that the erring employees would have to pay from their pockets.

The Corporation conducted a sample revenue survey in three wards in phase-I. Later, in phase-II, another eight wards were covered. During the second phase, it was found that the VMC would have received Rs.1.23 crore more, if the assessments were done properly. The collections would be much higher, if the engineering part of the survey was also completed. The engineering wing will check water and sewerage portion. And, the additional income will cross another Rs. 1 crore.

Apparently, learning a lesson from this, a comprehensive survey of assessments has been launched in the city which will come to an end by November 7. The revenue wing employees have been given three tasks—every vacant land is assessed; bring all un-assessed properties under tax net; book all properties if there is a deviation in usage of property.

For instance, a flat in apartments is assessed as a residential property. However, the flat may be used for commercial purposes. So, there is a need to chance the usage to commercial category, he says.