Bengaluru: A meeting to explore various measures to ensure resources mobilization by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was held in the presence of Bengaluru Development and Town Planning Minister K J George.
The minister observed that there is a considerable increase in number of properties this year as against the previous year and concerted efforts should be made to collect the tax accordingly. BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad, explained to the minister that in all 18. 5 lakh properties had been identified. The BBMP had collected Rs 1960 crores including arrears from 15.14 lakh properties during last year, he revealed. “Over 20,000 defaulters owed more than Rs 965 crore tax,” he added.
The minister also exhorted the BBMP to explore the possibilities of outsourcing the tax collection so that more revenue could be generated.
On generating revenue through advertisements, the minister suggested to file criminal cases against those who advertise illegally. He also advised the BBMP to identify some places exclusively for Kannada films at concessional rates and for political parties. He wanted the BBMP to encourage more of flexes and ban paper posters. Prahari task force should be vigil during night to book offenders especially the paying guest accommodation owners, he suggested saying that even the printers should be warned against printing such posters.
The commissioner brought to the notice of the minister that BBMP had raised the demand notice for 5,427 advertisers to collect Rs 321 crore from them.
Mayor G Padmavathi, Deputy Mayor Anand, Congress leader in the BBMP R S Satyanarayana and Additional Chief Secretary Mahendra Jain were also present.
