As the last date of payment of holding tax is approaching, city residents of different wards are putting all their efforts to complete the payment procedure at the earliest. However, the city residents have complained that the tax collectors after collecting the revenue are recklessly charging heavy amount as tip from the residents.
Residents said that the tax collectors under the specified agency (Sparrow Softech Private limited) are asking for heavy amount irrespective of the fact that they are already being paid for their work. “I was asked by the tax collector to pay more than Rs 500 in the form of tip for getting the process complete even after submitting all the documents and making payment. I denied paying the amount but they said that they will not process the document further,” said, a resident of ward number 4, BK Pandey.
Another residents who recently completed the procedure of holding tax payment claimed that despite being a loyal taxpayer, they are unnecessary being harassed by the system. “To be in the safer side though colony residents are reluctantly paying the amount that is demanded by the tax collectors to avoid any further problem but RMC must immediately intervene into the matter and take stringent action against these tax collectors,” said, Deepak K Sabarwal of ward number 22.
Some even claimed that they are averse to pay the amount as per the demand as they are aware about the fact that things are more complicated at the civic body level and they simply want to avoid the hassle. Clueless about the matter, on the other hand, RMC officials said that after receiving complaint from ward councilors only they will take stringent action against the culprits.
“We have yet not received any specific grievance from any residents or even the ward councilor about the matter yet we can assure that RMC will immediately expel the concerned tax collectors, if we receive anything against them. No one can be compelled to give extra charge for any service,” said, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Bidyanand Pankaj.
“So far, everything is going smoothly is my ward. None of the city residents have approached me or have complained about the tax collectors, who demands specific amount for the work,” said Roshini Xalxo Councillor of ward number 21.
Notably, the holding tax in the Capital City has gone up by 130 per cent for concrete houses following a new computation format. The new rental value of 75 per cent of the carpet area of the house varies with the house’s proximity as well. Under the new format, city residents are submitting self-assessed declaration of carpet area of their respective house. The last date of paying holding tax is February 23.