Commercial properties on AMC"s radar; independent squads to verify taxes levied by ward officers

Aurangabad, Nov 27:

The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) administrator Astik Kumar Pandey today has decided to constitute independent squads to verify the property tax and water tax levied by the ward officers, on commercial properties, in their respective jurisdictions.

It may be noted that the AMC is sustaining huge financial losses due to the irresponsible attitude of the ward or zonal officers. Many a time, it has been observed by the senior authorities that they are biased while levying tax on commercial properties due to reasons better known to them. Hence, the administrator has decided to form independent squads, who will verify the property tax levied upon the commercial properties by ward officers and ensure that it is genuine or not?

Pandey took the above decision during a meeting held at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research Centre to review the status of mobile towers in the city. Additional commissioner Ravindra Nikam, assistant director (town planning) Jayant Kharwadkar, deputy commissioner Aparna Thethe and all ward officers were in the meeting.

Compilation of mobile towers in one week

The administrator ordered the ward officers to survey in their respective ward on foot and collect information on existing mobile towers in their jurisdiction. He ordered them to submit the report in seven days. He guided them that the report should possess details of legal buildings with illegal towers on them, illegal buildings with legal towers on them and illegal buildings and illegal towers on them. It is learnt that the AMC, in future, will give three days time to building-owners as well as mobile tower companies, to submit their say, as per the report.

The administrator also hinted at the formation of three squads to check the water tax. These squads will visit commercial properties and demand for permission of water connection and the size of the pipeline granted to them. It will verify whether it is a commercial connection or residential connection. Moreover, the squad will also find the actual size of pipeline laid down by the property-holder.

These squads will submit their reports after surveying the above-mentioned facts to the administrator. These squads will also identify residential buildings which are used partially or fully for commercial gains.

Pandey expressed displeasure in the functioning of ward officers and told them to improve their work style on priority. He also expressed disappointment against them for poor recovery of taxes from commercial properties and delaying in taking action against the illegal mobile towers.