Khatima municipality, which is struggling to increase its income, is not getting support from government departments only. Government departments have to pay 46 lakh, 54 thousand, Rs 629 as building tax to Khatima Municipality. Surprisingly, this building is done for the last 24 years. Apart from the buildings of the state government, these defaulters also include central government offices.
There is only a few weeks left for the financial year 2024-25 to end, so the focus of Khatima Municipality is on completing the target of recovery tax collection before the completion of the current financial year. The number of taxpayers in 20 wards of the municipality is 2311. The target of building tax in the current financial year has been collected by the municipality of 10 lakh, 61 thousand, 265 rupees against the target of 12 lakh, 46 thousand, but to collect the building tax from government departments, it is proving to be a headache for the municipality. The municipality has been helpless for the last 24 years in getting the buildings from government departments.
Apart from the houses of government departments, committees, schools, government employees and officials in the municipality area, there are 26 such buildings of the Central Government which have not been depositing the buildings for about 24 years. Despite this matter reaching the government level, it could not be solved. Due to low income, the municipality also lacks resources, which the people of the urban area are suffering.
Eight big defaulters have to pay 7,75,225
The municipality has prepared a list of eight big defaulters from various wards. They have to deposit a total of Rs 7,75,225 in the municipality as a building tax. After not depositing the building tax, the municipality can cut RC in their name after the completion of the financial year.
Only 12 garbage vehicles for 20 wards
Khatima municipality lacks resources due to low income. There are not enough garbage vehicles to pick up garbage from 20 wards. There are only 12 garbage vehicles for 20 wards. Apart from this, garbage is being collected from four e-rickshaws and some tractor trolleys. Also, the cleaning system of urban area is being affected due to not having sufficient number of environmental friends. Due to low income, employees are not getting even salary on time.
There are 26 buildings of government departments in Khatima, which have to collect the building tax from April 1, 2001. Currently these departments have to deposit Rs 46,54,629 as building taxes. There is also no adequate resources due to low sources of income of the municipality. About 200 environmental friends are needed in the municipality area right now, but recruitment is similar to the challenge to recruit due to low source of income. – Deepak Shukla, EO, Khatima Municipality
