Karnataka High Court Addresses Property Tax PIL
The High Court of Karnataka has resolved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that contested the earlier methods of property tax collection by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Chief Justice SK Mukherjee directed the commissioner to officially acknowledge the representation submitted by Bharatha Surachana Mandala, a Bengaluru-based society, within a period of three months.
Appellant's Argument
The appellant asserted that property tax should be determined by the building's structure and its approved plan. Any reductions due to modifications should be verified by the Assistant Revenue Officer (ARO) of the pertinent subdivision. Only then can tax be collected by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. Some key points raised by the appellant include:
- The current procedure for collecting advance property tax lacks a scientific basis or methodical calculations.
- Law-abiding citizens are inconvenienced by having to pay taxes that are either excessive or improperly calculated.
Grievances Regarding BBMP Procedures
Appellants stated that they are forced to visit BBMP offices repeatedly and navigate complicated administrative processes. These procedures, they argued, can foster corruption when citizens seek refunds on property taxes.