Posted on March 17, 2025, by Niftynews
BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has given instructions to its zonal officials to prioritize the collection of property taxes for the 2024-2025 financial year. With only two weeks remaining before the financial year ends, the civic body is working to collect the Rs 606 crore remaining from its Rs 5,210 crore target.
As of March 2025, BBMP has already collected Rs 4,604 crore, achieving 88.36% of its annual revenue target. In a final push, officials have been tasked with focusing on properties that have outstanding dues, especially commercial properties and companies that have significant unpaid taxes. This targeted approach aims to meet the revenue target before the close of the fiscal year.
Yelahanka Zone Tops with Nearly 100% Tax Collection
Among the eight BBMP zones, Yelahanka has emerged as the leader in property tax collection. The zone has achieved an outstanding 99.97% collection rate, having collected Rs 445.24 crore of its target of Rs 445.15 crore. Yelahanka’s near-perfect collection rate serves as an example for other zones and reflects the effectiveness of their tax recovery strategies.
Bommanahalli Zone Faces Challenges in Meeting Tax Collection Goals
While Yelahanka shines, the Bommanahalli zone has encountered challenges in meeting its tax collection target. The zone had set a target of Rs 585.11 crore, but has only managed to collect Rs 468.48 crore, achieving 80.06% of its goal. This figure is the lowest among all the zones as of March 14, 2025, and officials are focusing on recovering the remaining dues to bring Bommanahalli closer to meeting its target.
Mahadevapura Zone Shows Strong Performance
The Mahadevapura zone, which has the highest property tax target of Rs 1,309.04 crore, has made significant progress toward its goal. The zone has collected Rs 1,223.30 crore, achieving 93.45% of its target. The impressive collection rate in Mahadevapura showcases the effectiveness of BBMP’s initiatives in tax recovery, placing it among the top-performing zones.
Strategies for Recovering Pending Property Taxes
In an effort to meet the Rs 5,210 crore target, BBMP has implemented several key initiatives, including the One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme. This scheme allows property owners to settle outstanding taxes by paying a lump sum amount. Additionally, BBMP is taking legal measures to auction properties owned by long-term tax defaulters in order to recover pending dues.
The auctioning of properties is aimed at recovering significant amounts of overdue taxes from defaulters who have not responded to previous attempts to collect taxes. With these strategies in place, BBMP is optimistic that it will surpass the Rs 5,000 crore mark in property tax collection by the end of the fiscal year.
Focus on Commercial Properties for Enhanced Revenue Collection
Commercial properties are one of the key areas where BBMP has focused its tax recovery efforts. These properties typically contribute a substantial portion of the overall tax collection. In an effort to increase revenue from this sector, officials have been instructed to visit commercial establishments and take the necessary steps to recover overdue taxes.
By targeting both residential and commercial properties, BBMP aims to ensure that all sectors contribute fairly to the city’s tax revenue, which is essential for maintaining and improving Bengaluru’s civic infrastructure.
BBMP’s Confidence in Meeting Property Tax Target
Despite the challenges faced by some zones, BBMP officials are confident that the overall target will be met by the end of the fiscal year. The property tax collection efforts are vital in ensuring that the civic body can continue to provide essential services to the people of Bengaluru.
Officials have also emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency throughout the collection process. By using both traditional and modern methods, including online tax payment options, BBMP has made it easier for property owners to settle their dues.
Conclusion
As Bengaluru approaches the end of the FY 2024-25, BBMP property tax collection drive remains a top priority for the civic body. With Yelahanka leading the charge and other zones working hard to catch up, the BBMP aims to not only meet but exceed its revenue target by the end of March. The ongoing efforts to recover overdue taxes, combined with strategic initiatives like the One-Time Settlement Scheme and property auctions, are set to ensure that Bengaluru meets its fiscal goals while continuing to provide essential services to its residents.
