Activist Criticizes PMC for Including Repeat Defaulters in Property Tax Amnesty

Pune: Following a poor response to its ongoing property tax amnesty scheme, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to extend the benefit to citizens who had previously availed of earlier amnesty schemes, reversing its earlier condition. This decision has sparked criticism from civic activists who argue that it is unfair to diligent taxpayers.

When PMC announced the current scheme, it had, for the first time, excluded individuals who had already taken advantage of earlier amnesty offers. However, the administration has now withdrawn this restriction. Civic activist Vivek Velankar said, “We have been demanding for years that the amnesty scheme is unfair to diligent taxpayers. After our opposition, PMC initially excluded previous beneficiaries before removing that condition.”

Velankar highlighted that around 1.5 lakh defaulters benefit from the amnesty scheme each year and often wait for it. “Through RTI, we proved that the same set of people repeatedly take advantage of such schemes,” he said. In a press statement, PMC’s property tax department announced the decision to allow all defaulters to participate, without providing a reason. Under the scheme, the corporation is offering a 75% waiver on penalty amounts.

For several consecutive years, PMC has introduced similar amnesty schemes. Velankar criticized the move, stating, “We can understand if elected representatives push for such decisions, but it is surprising that the administration itself is taking them. The civic body should instead focus on 1,746 major defaulters who each owe more than ₹1 crore and have taken their cases to court.”

The decision to include repeat defaulters in the amnesty scheme has raised concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the program. Activists argue that it undermines the integrity of the tax system and rewards those who consistently avoid their financial responsibilities. They suggest that the PMC should implement stricter measures to ensure that all citizens, especially major defaulters, comply with their property tax obligations.

Despite the criticism, the PMC maintains that the amnesty scheme is necessary to improve overall tax collection and reduce the backlog of unpaid taxes. The corporation hopes that by offering a significant waiver on penalty amounts, more citizens will be encouraged to settle their outstanding dues. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains a point of contention among civic groups and tax experts.

As the debate continues, the PMC is under pressure to find a balanced approach that addresses the concerns of both taxpayers and civic activists. The outcome of this decision could have lasting implications for property tax collection and civic governance in Pune.