NDMC Takes Strict Action Against Tax Evasion
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has attached seven properties in the posh Khan Market area. These properties, which consist of shop-cum-flat units, have accumulated significant dues, amounting to several crores, despite repeated reminders and notices from the civic body. The NDMC has issued a five-day notice to the property owners, demanding payment of the overdue taxes.
This move is part of NDMC’s broader efforts to tighten its grip on tax defaulters. In addition to the seven properties in Khan Market, the council has also partially attached a builder’s property in another prime location, Bhai Veer Singh Marg. These actions come on the heels of the NDMC’s crackdown, which has seen 21 properties across the city being attached in recent days.
The NDMC’s aggressive tax recovery campaign is also evident in its issuance of show-cause notices to 380 property owners, warning that strict measures, including property sealing and account freezing, would follow if dues remain unpaid. Of particular concern are the 3,200 property owners who have defaulted for three consecutive years, prompting the NDMC to take more stringent actions under its regulations.
With an ambitious property tax collection target of Rs 1,150 crore for the current financial year, the civic body is on track to recover substantial sums. As of mid-February, it had already collected Rs 807 crore. To make tax payment more accessible, the NDMC has extended working hours at its collection centres, offering services on weekends throughout March, excluding holidays.
However, the latest enforcement measures have drawn criticism from some quarters, with trade associations raising concerns over what they perceive as excessive tax demands, particularly from businesses that are now facing temporary closures due to property seizures. As the NDMC pushes for stricter compliance, the challenge lies in balancing efficient tax recovery with the business-friendly environment that is essential for Delhi’s economic vibrancy.
