Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to initiate legal proceedings against property owners after recording over 4,200 cheque bounce cases related to property tax payments in the current financial year. While around 3,600 defaulters have cleared their dues following repeated notices, action is being prepared against the remaining cases under provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The move comes as the civic body intensifies tax recovery efforts ahead of the financial year-end, having already collected approximately INR 2,882 crore. The development highlights compliance challenges in municipal tax collection, a key revenue source for urban infrastructure and service delivery.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated steps to take legal action against property owners whose property tax payments through cheques have been dishonoured, following the identification of more than 4,200 such cases in the current financial year. Advertisement
The action is being pursued as part of the civic body's efforts to improve tax compliance and recover pending dues before the close of the financial year. Officials indicated that despite repeated notices and follow-ups, a section of taxpayers has failed to regularise payments after cheque dishonour, prompting the administration to consider legal recourse.
Out of the total cases recorded, approximately 3,600 property owners have cleared their outstanding dues following enforcement measures and reminders issued by the civic body. However, around 600 cases remain unresolved, for which the PMC is preparing to initiate legal proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which governs cheque dishonour offences.
The property tax department has begun compiling case-wise data to support legal action, indicating a shift towards stricter enforcement against non-compliant taxpayers. Officials stated that continued defaults despite multiple opportunities for settlement necessitated escalation through legal channels.
The development comes at a critical stage in the financial year, with the civic administration intensifying recovery drives to meet its revenue targets. The PMC has collected approximately INR 2,882 crore in property tax so far, and has deployed dedicated teams across different zones to accelerate collections.
To facilitate payments and reduce last-minute defaults, the civic body has extended operational hours of its Citizen Facilitation Centres (CFCs), keeping them open without breaks until the end of the financial year. These centres are also functioning on weekends and public holidays to enable taxpayers to clear dues within the stipulated timeline.
In parallel, the PMC has encouraged the use of authorised digital payment platforms to streamline transactions and minimise the risk of cheque-related issues. The administration has indicated that electronic payment modes offer greater reliability and faster processing compared to traditional methods.
Cheque dishonour cases typically arise due to insufficient funds, errors in cheque details, or procedural lapses, but persistent non-payment after notification is treated as a legal offence. The civic body's decision to initiate proceedings reflects an effort to enforce accountability and deter repeated defaults.
Property tax remains one of the primary sources of revenue for urban local bodies, funding essential services such as road maintenance, sanitation, water supply, and public infrastructure. Delays or defaults in collection can affect budgetary planning and execution of civic projects.
The PMC's move underscores the growing emphasis on compliance enforcement in municipal finance, particularly as cities seek to strengthen revenue streams amid increasing expenditure requirements.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
