Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation Plans Private Agency For Property Tax Recovery From 40,646 Properties, Opposition Protests

Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) is set to assign property tax collection from 40,646 properties to a private agency, sparking opposition from political figures. The proposal, drafted by Municipal Commissioner Anmol Sagar, will be presented for approval at the General Body meeting on November 17. The agency would target commercial, industrial, and mixed-use properties, making up around 19.27% of the city's 2,10,932 registered properties.

The three-year contract would come with a commission based on recovered amounts. However, critics argue this move resembles Torrent Power's operations, questioning the necessity of enlisting another private entity. They insist that municipal authorities should enhance their recovery capabilities before outsourcing. The administration justifies the plan, citing financial losses and the need for improved revenue collection.

The accuracy of the outstanding tax figures, totaling Rs 1,297.63 crore, has been challenged by civic sources who suggest discrepancies in the property tax database could reduce this amount.