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Property owners in Pune are showing reluctance to participate in the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) property tax rebate scheme, potentially leading to around 3 lakh property owners missing out on this opportunity due to non-compliance. The PMC had introduced a special 40% discount on property tax for self-occupying properties two months ago. However, the scheme, originally floated in 1970, was declared illegal by auditors of the Union government in 2019, as it had not been notified as an Act by any successive state government.
In response to this non-compliance, the PMC initiated the recovery of discounted amounts as arrears in 2021 and 2022, sending SMS reminders to property tax payers to settle their arrears. However, this approach faced public opposition, leading to the cessation of the recovery drive. In April 2023, the state Cabinet reintroduced the discount, officially notifying it in July.
Citizens have expressed frustration, asserting that it should be the responsibility of the civic administration to cross-verify property occupants. They argue that the civic administration should simplify the process for citizens rather than burdening them with complex compliance procedures.
To avail of the discount, residents are required to submit a PT3 form, a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their society confirming owner occupancy, ID proof, and the property tax bill of any other property owned by the same taxpayer under PMC limits. However, residents report that documents like NOCs from societies are causing challenges in completing the formalities of PT3 form submission. These NOCs often lead to disputes between society members and management, complicating the document submission process.
In summary, the PMC's property tax rebate scheme, offering a 40% discount for self-occupying properties, faces challenges due to property owners' reluctance to comply with the necessary documentation. Citizens are calling for simplifications in the process, including the introduction of an online submission option to reduce the burden on taxpayers and ensure smoother access to the tax discount.
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