Municipal Commissioner Shubha B. has issued show-cause notices to four revenue department officials of the Belagavi City Corporation over an alleged property tax scam involving an industrial unit in Udyambag and other properties. The action was taken with instructions to address the matter within two days, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations.
The property tax irregularities, under investigation for two months, first surfaced during the legislative session. Allegations center around discrepancies in tax assessments, including errors in Property Identification Numbers (PID), e-Aasthi (digital property records), and account changes. Sources revealed that nearly 600 e-Aasthi applications remained unresolved in the officials’ system. In response, the Commissioner directed that the backlog be cleared promptly to ensure transparency.
The case intensified when it emerged that the industrial unit in Udyambag had been grossly undertaxed, raising suspicions of malpractice. Despite discussions in the standing committee, no decisive action was initially taken, prompting the Commissioner to enforce accountability within the department.
The issue has also reached Urban Development Minister Suresh, compelling the Commissioner to act swiftly. A government directive against issuing PIDs to unauthorized constructions has reportedly reduced application volumes, yet irregularities in tax collection remain a pressing concern.
Fear among municipal staff has grown, especially after a recent notice regarding house rent recovery for a local educational institute. With the property tax scam under the spotlight, employees are wary of the potential fallout. Reports suggest that disciplinary action is pending against two more employees implicated in the case.
As the legislative session progresses in Belagavi, the scam continues to attract attention, with increasing demands for strict measures to uphold public trust and accountability within the city corporation’s revenue department.
