The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified its crackdown on major property tax defaulters by initiating seizure and auction proceedings. Under this action, BMC’s Assessment and Collection Department has attached 18 properties belonging to a realty company in Chandivali, which has an outstanding property tax of Rs 178.64 crore. If the company fails to clear the dues within 21 days, the properties will be put up for auction.
Despite repeated appeals and follow-ups by the BMC administration, certain property owners continue to evade tax payments. In response, BMC is taking stringent measures such as seizure and restriction orders. These properties include land plots, residential and commercial buildings, commercial shops, and industrial units.
Under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner & Administrator Mr. Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. (Mrs.) Ashwini Joshi, and Joint Commissioner (Assessment & Collection) Mr. Vishwas Shankarwar, efforts are being made to recover outstanding taxes from property owners. BMC has repeatedly urged defaulters to pay their dues on time to avoid legal and punitive actions. However, strict action has now begun against those delaying payments.
BMC’s Target for FY 2024-25: Rs 6,200 Crore in Property Tax Collection
For the financial year 2024-25, BMC has set a target of collecting Rs 6,200 crore in property tax. So far, from May 26, 2024, to February 12, 2025, BMC has collected Rs 4,823 crore, leaving a balance of Rs 1,377 crore to be collected by March 31, 2025.
Under Section 203 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, notices of seizure are being issued to major defaulters who have the financial capacity but fail to pay property tax. If payments are not made within the stipulated period, BMC will seize movable assets from the properties and auction them under Sections 203, 204, 205, and 206 of the Act. Additionally, as per an interim order from the Bombay High Court (Petition No. 2592/2013), if the expected tax is not recovered from the property, the property itself will be auctioned.
Realtt Company’s 18 Properties Seized Over Unpaid Dues
As part of this crackdown, BMC’s Assessment and Collection Department has now attached 18 properties of the realty company in Sangharsh Nagar, Chandivali. The company owes Rs 178.64 crore in outstanding land tax. Despite repeated follow-ups, the company failed to respond, leading BMC to issue and paste seizure notices on all 18 properties. If payment is not made within 21 days, movable assets from these properties will be seized and auctioned under Sections 204 and 205 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.
