Corporation’s property tax reassessment drive draws flak for lack of transparency

The Greater Chennai Corporation's (GCC) property tax reassessment drive has sparked controversy due to perceived lack of transparency and inadequate consultation with residents. The revised tax rates, based on self-declared property areas, have led to significant increases, with one resident experiencing a 100% jump. Residents claim they were not informed of the rate per square foot or the basis for the reassessment, and questions arise regarding their ability to challenge the decision due to the large number of properties involved.

The sudden implementation deadline has put some residents in difficult positions, particularly those who cannot afford the increased tax burden. Criticism has also been directed towards the uniformity of the reassessment process, with concerns raised about the accuracy of drone and GIS-based methods without manual confirmation. The GCC has issued notices to three lakh tax payers, expecting to generate an additional ₹83 crore per annum from the revised property tax on under-assessed properties.