Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) will serve notices to 1.26 lakh defaulters of urban development (UD) tax, as their final ultimatum. To begin with, it has also prepared a list of 695 defaulters who are indebted with more than Rs five lakh as dues.
A final ultimatum will be sent, if defaulters not showcase any interest in repaying their dues, their respective sewage systems will be blocked.
Notably, the prepared list comprises of influential venues like Central and state government offices, properties of erstwhile royal family of Jaipur, media houses, marriage homes, hotels and influential private owners. As per the figures released by JMC, 1.26 lakh people have not paid their UD taxes which amounts to Rs 700 crore. However, it is just 695 people who owe Rs 350 crore, almost half of the total amount.
Among 695, major defaulters include, state government own departments like Rajasthan Avasan Mandal, RUIDP, Rajasthan Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited, bus stand. There are temples, NGOs, media organizations and jewellers along with properties of the erstwhile royal family. Hotels, resorts and marriage homes, some owned by the politicians too are among the biggest defaulters.
“We can’t allow few people to affect the developmental work for rest of 48-50 lakh people. Their dues have been mounting for several years and we will soon serve them a final notice in next two-three days. After that, we will have to block their sewerage lines out of compulsion until they pay,” said mayor Ashok Lahoti.
The mayor added, “Our intention is not to cause inconvenience to anyone but it is our commitment to provide best services to the people of Jaipur and we will do so”.
“To encourage defaulters in paying their dues, government has already announced scheme where full penalty and interest on due amount will be waived off on UD tax while on house there is a relaxation of 100% on penalty, interest and 50% on principal amount” said the official.
According to JMC officials, all defaulters have already been served notices earlier. The first list was sent out to those having dues of Rs 5 lakh and above, after receiving which they will have 15 days of time to pay the money.
