Bengaluru, Jun 30 (IANS): Cash-strapped city's civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has planned to launch 'Khata Mela' (mega tax collection drive) in all the eight zones in order to reach its revenue collection target.

BBMP's chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta, who held a meeting with revenue officials, directed them to plan and subsequently organise the Khata Mela.

"As on date Rs 1,563.78 crore has been collected as property tax by the BBMP for the financial year 2021-22. With the city reporting fewer cases of Covid in the city at present, BBMP's revenue officers should pay more attention to collecting property taxes," he said.

The commissioner said that following the spurt in Covid cases during the second wave, the revenue officials were not able to concentrate on property tax collection.

"With Covid cases now on the decline, revenue officials must organise 'Khata Melas' in all the eight zones, which would help bring more properties under the tax net," he added.

Gupta further said that the role of revenue officers in collecting the property tax is important, hence, they must focus on improving property tax collections besides taking steps to include newly-constructed buildings bought under tax regime.

He added that all revenue officials should disseminate information about the extension of the five per cent discount on full-year property tax payment, which has been extended until June 30 through department staff in order to collect more property tax.

BBMP's Special Commissioner (Revenue) Basavaraju said that the the civic body would also intend to collect property tax as soon as possible by releasing a warning letter to those who have not paid property tax in the current fiscal year.

Basvaraju also said that by organising the Khata Mela, assets from all eight zones of the BBMP will be brought under property tax jurisdiction.