CSMC’s Tax Amnesty Scheme Recovers Rs 82.6 Crore

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) has announced a significant financial success, recovering a remarkable Rs 82.6 crore in property tax. This achievement is a direct result of the "Freedom from Penalty" amnesty scheme, an initiative designed to encourage property owners to settle their long-standing dues by offering a substantial concession on late payment penalties.

Initially, the program was launched on July 15 and was scheduled to conclude on August 15. However, due to its overwhelming success and to provide more residents with the opportunity to benefit, the deadline was extended until the end of August. The scheme's core incentive is a 95% concession on the penalty amount for property owners who make a one-time payment of their outstanding dues. This approach has proven highly effective in motivating defaulters to clear their debts to the corporation.

According to a statement from CSMC administrator G Sreekanth, the scheme was initially limited to residential properties but was later expanded to include commercial and industrial properties, a move that significantly broadened its reach and impact. The data shows that a total of 37,259 property holders took advantage of the scheme in the first month alone, from July 15 to August 15, contributing to the substantial revenue boost.

The total property tax collected by the CSMC has now reached Rs 146.1 crore for the current fiscal year. This impressive figure, combined with the Rs 11.5 crore in water tax collected so far, puts the civic body on track to surpass its previous year's recovery. Authorities are optimistic that the total tax recovery for the current year will exceed the Rs 157.7 crore in property tax and Rs 26.3 crore in water tax recovered during the 2024-25 financial year, showcasing the effectiveness of the amnesty program in improving the corporation's financial health.