Chandigarh civic body sends revised Rs 9.5 crore property tax notice to Panjab University

CHANDIGARH: The municipal corporation has sent a revised property tax notice of Rs 9.50 crore to Panjab University (PU), asking it to deposit it at the earliest. It comprises the principal amount as well as the arrears, which PU had not paid to the MC.

About a couple of months ago, the civic body had sent Rs 13.60 crore notice to PU. The university authorities had challenged it, saying some buildings situated inside the boundary of the varsity, like a school, post office and a few others, do not fall under their ambit, and so, their tax must be deducted from theirs. In its wake, the MC revised the amount after excluding those buildings and sent the fresh notice to PU.

Sources in MC said, “The tax branch had conducted a survey of the buildings at Panjab University. It found some buildings were in the tax ambit, but their property tax was not being paid. After the survey, the details were checked and the tax amount was prepared.”

“We have now told the PU to pay the revised amount. The university officials are expected to discuss the issue with the MC. It is, so far, the highest property tax the university will pay,” they added.

Gets over Rs 12cr in April

MC has earned over Rs 12 crore in the first month (April) of the rebate period from the commercial and the residential property taxpayers. As the civic body has increased the rebate period by another month till June 30, it expects to receive a good response.