Ulhasnagar civic chief’s battle cry against tax defaulters: No Tax, No Civic Amenity

The decision was taken in the wake of poor tax collection despite issuing several reminders to the defaulters...

In a first-of-its-kind move, the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) chief Rakendra Nimbalkar issued diktat to all the corporators stating ‘No Tax, No Civic Amenity’.

Tax defaulters can pay using the demonetised notes until the midnight of December 15. (REUTERS Photo)

The decision was taken in the wake of poor tax collection despite issuing several reminders to the defaulters. Sources claimed the civic chief has vouched not to revoke the diktat despite facing opposition form the corporators.

Speaking to HT, Nimbalkar said, “Though the government has extended the deadline for accepting demonetised notes for tax payment till 15th December 2016, defaulters have taken it lightly. I was forced to issue the diktat that all civic works like sewerage, water, roads, paver blocks and others would not be undertaken until defaulters don’t pay at least 60% of their dues.”

He added that neither the requests nor the notices have coaxed defaulters to pay up, so the diktat was issued to the corpoartors.

“Funds allotted to ward offices are used for civic works of a particular locality. But if taxes aren’t paid, then no work will be undertaken. It wasn’t until I took stock of the situation that I realised how much recovery was pending,” said Nimbalkar.

Statics available with the UMC revealed that of the 78 wards in Ulhasnagar, only a handful have cleared 50% dues.

“Initially, the corporators were reluctant. But they understood the importance of recovering dues, as it is need to provide people with civic amenities. With the corporation already struggling, non-payment of dues is burdening it further,” Nimbalkar said.