The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) efforts to recover property tax dues from defaulters has met with some measure of success: outstanding arrears that stood at ₹500 crore at the beginning of the fiscal have come down to around ₹250 crore.
A list of defaulters has been prepared at the zonal level and Revenue officials have been tasked with recovery of arrears.
According to information provided, nine malls across the city owe the civic body nearly ₹70 crore in property tax arrears.
As per data provided by the BBMP, Mantri Mall in Malleswaram owes ₹20.33 crore, while Lulu Hyper Market in Rajajinagar owes ₹18.66 crore. Royal Meenakshi Mall coming under Bommanahalli zone has an outstanding of ₹14.96 crore and Rockline Mall in Dasarahalli zone has dues amounting ₹6.64 crore. Meanwhile, V.R. Mall in Mahadevapura zone and G.T. World Mall in South zone owe BBMP ₹3.9 crore and ₹3.85 crore respectively.
The other malls are Total Mall in Mahadevapura zone (₹85.18 lakh), Virginia Mall also in Mahadevapura zone (₹64.95 lakh) and Gopalan Arcade in Rajarajeshwarinagar zone (₹9.86 lakh).
The BBMP has issued demand notices and distress warrants to these establishments. Earlier this year, the civic body even sealed Mantri Mall a couple of times over non-payment of dues even after a distress warrant had been issued. However, following written assurance from the promoters, the mall was reopened.
BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta told reporters that a review of property tax collection is taken up on a weekly basis. He said that efforts are being made to recover dues before the end of the financial year and mop up more revenue.
With regard to malls defaulting on payments, he said that some promoters had gone to court and sought stays. The BBMP’s legal cell and senior advocates representing the civic body are working on clearing the legal hurdles, he added.
