Property owners seek more time from GCC to pay tax sans penalty

Chennai: S Jayaraman, advisor to Jai Nagar Residents Welfare Association in Perambur, said that the tax payment counter was closed at the Ripon Building when he visited the civic body headquarters on Friday. “Officials had promised to keep the counters open on Thursday and Friday. But the counter was closed. Also, the online payment portal was slow on the last day,” he added.

Jayaraman rued that he missed the 5 per cent incentive and must pay 2 per cent penalty while making payment. “The civic body should give additional time so that building owners can pay their taxes without penalty,” he pointed out.

When asked a Chennai Corporation official said that the deadline is based on the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act.

“We cannot violate the provisions in the Act. Moreover, around 20,000 property owners paid their taxes on Friday. Close to Rs 15 crore was collected on the day,” he clarified.

The civic body provides incentives of 5 per cent or a maximum of Rs 5,000 for property owners who pay their taxes on time. At the same time, 2 per cent penalty is being imposed who pay after April 15.

In total, close to Rs 116 crore has been collected in 15 days from April 1-15 and close to 2 lakh owners paid taxes during the period. Around Rs 2.50 crore has been given as incentives, sources said.