Mumbai Police yet to pay 14.43 crores in Property Tax to the BMC
The Mumbai police have yet to pay up a sum of around 14 crores to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as part of property tax on the police stations and staff quarters it has in the city. As of the end of the financial year, 2009-2010, the Mumbai police owe a total of 14.43 crores.
Of the total amount owed to the BMC, Rs 5.6 crore is due just for property belonging to the state government, the railways and the Mumbai Port Trust.; the highest defaulting amount is 2. 58 crores owed by the G south ward of the police. Officials claim that apathy and a lack of accountability have led to the slackening attitude of the police force. Considering the police are the enforcers of law and order in the city, it is surprising to find them high up on the list of defaulters.
The Mumbai Police Commissioner, Mr Sanjeev Dayal did say that the state has been contacted for the amount and that it will be paid as soon as the state sanctions it. He said, “We have written to the state asking it to sanction the amount. Whenever we get the money from the government, we will pay the dues. We give free services in terms of protection to the BMC. We should not be blamed for apathy,”
The State machinery is the actual reason why the dues have not yet been paid. The matter is not considered urgent enough for speedy action. Even though months have passed since the annual closing of the finance departments of the State and Central government, the state itself is back logged on payments.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation collects property tax from over 40 lakh private, government and part government properties in the city and is one of the highest revenue collecting bodies of the BMC. Of the total amount, Rs 5.6 crore is due just for property belonging to the state government, the railways and the Mumbai Port Trust.
