THE BHOPAL Municipal Corporation (BMC) is contemplating to raise its own force for multiple tasks like tax collection from toughie defaulters, dealing with protestors during demolition drives etc. The force will have a proper uniform, studded with stars et al.
The idea is to create an impression of quasi-police force to strike fear among BMC’s offenders. The Corporation administration is quite optimistic of positive outcome, especially on recovery front.
BMC personnel are often chased away by ‘influential’ property tax defaulters. Quite a few incidents of assaults on the BMC teams have taken place. In order to tackle more ticklish issues, the BMC seeks help of the City police but such help is not always forthcoming due to various reasons. BMC’s own force is expected to deal with violators more effectively.
Initially, 138 employees have been selected for the proposed force. They are already working in the BMC zonal and ward offices.
The raising of a force is part of the BMC’s plan of augmenting tax collection. While new avenues are being sought to broad base the tax net, efforts are also afoot to put a mechanism in place for recovery of the outstanding dues.
The administration felt that unless the chronic defaulters were firmly dealt with, other taxpayers might also feel emboldened to evade taxes. This problem is more acute in some areas of the walled City where BMC officials dread entering for collection.
The administration felt that unless the chronic defaulters were firmly dealt with, other taxpayers might also feel emboldened to evade taxes. This problem is more acute in some areas of the walled City where BMC officials dread entering for collection.