Recover 90% property tax dues in this fiscal year, Haryana government tells MCG

GURUGRAM: Highlighting the poor performance of the MCG in recovering property tax in last fiscal year, the department of urban local bodies (ULB), Haryana, directed MCG to recover at least 90% of the outstanding property tax dues in 2022-23. The ULB department has also directed the MCG to submit quarterly reports on its revenue and expenditure on the fifth day of every quarter starting July 5.

The civic body could generate only 13% of the projected income from property tax — Rs 165 crore — against its target of Rs 1,235 crore in 2021-22. For the current fiscal, it has set a target of generating Rs 1,100 crore from the property tax, officials said.

“It is the first time that the ULB department has asked us to send a quarterly report of our income and expenditure. The ULB keeping a check on our income and expenses would streamline the entire system and is a welcome step. Besides approving our budget, the department has also sent its observations and recommendations,” said Vijay Singla, chief accounts officer, MCG.

The ULB department has also pointed out that the electricity bills of the office buildings and streetlights should be paid on time to avoid paying huge penalties.

“The ULB department has approved the budget of the MCG with certain changes and recommendations. The department has put emphasis on revenue generation and has also asked MCG to submit quarterly reports on its revenue sources and status of the revenue generated. I, along with the commissioner, will keep monthly checks on the revenue resources and income generated so that MCG’s income is enhanced this year,” said mayor Madhu Azad.

The ULB department has also directed MCG to recover arrears and pending dues of municipal tax, charges etc. Recommending a slew of measures at enhancing revenue, the corporation has also been told to generate revenue from its land.