SAS to be made mandatory from April

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, SEPT. 29. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) will make the Self-Assessment Scheme (SAS) for property tax payment, based on capital value system, mandatory for property owners from April 2002.

While the option for getting one's property assessed according to the old system would not exist from next year, the BMP would assess tax for all properties based on the capital value of the buildings, the Mayor, Ms. Prema Cariappa, and the BMP Commissioner, Mr. Ashok M.Dalwai, said here on Saturday.

They told presspersons that penalty on arrears would be much higher than the current rate of 5 per cent from next year. ``Early birds (tax payers) will get incentives and latecomers will be penalised from April 1, 2002,'' Mr. Dalwai said.

The Legislature, in its last session, approved the property tax amendment to the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) Act, 1976. The amendment, making SAS mandatory for all citizens, would come into effect from April 1, 2002, he said.

Meanwhile, the second phase of SAS (as an optional scheme) will be open for public from October 1 to November 29.

People who had not opted for SAS so far and those who need to pay the second instalment of taxes could make use of this opportunity, Mr. Dalwai said.

This apart, citizens whose property had been revised under the general revision were welcome to opt for the SAS by paying arrears up to October 1, the Mayor said.

If there were changes in the structure or in the use of the building, people could apply in the prescribed ``white form'' available in all 28 Revenue Range Offices and all designated branches of Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank, Vysya Bank, Dena Bank and Corporation Bank on payment of Rs. 5. The SAS booklets could be bought from the Revenue Range Offices and designated banks on payment of Rs. 20, she said.

If the SAS book was not required, the owners who wished to opt for SAS for the first time could apply in the prescribed ``green form''.

People could call 2227822 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. for more details on the scheme. They could also call the zonal offices on 2223197, 5582247 and 3361704, the Mayor said.

SAS was first introduced from April 1, 2000. It was open till May 30, but was extended for another month on demand. The second phase was open from October 1 to November 30. Over 2,30,000 property owners had opted for the new system in 2000-01 and paid property tax to the tune of Rs. 103 crores. While the property tax collected by the BMP last year was Rs. 157 crores, Rs. 103 was collected through SAS.

The scheme was re-introduced in 2001-02 from April 1 this year for two months. Over 1.35 lakh property owners had paid taxes during this period. Of the target of Rs. 175 crores property tax collection this year, the BMP collected Rs. 95 crores in the first phase. It hoped to achieve the target in the second phase, that ended on November 29, Mr. Dalwai said.

The owners of properties, for which occupancy certificates had not been obtained, might avail the opportunity and pay tax under SAS, from October 1, 2001. These people should pay tax along with the arrears up to September 30, 2001 as per the earlier assessment.

``This, however, does not prevent the BMP from taking appropriate action against deviation from the sanctioned plan or unauthorised constructions at any time,'' Mr. Dalwai said.

Sarala Khata Scheme

Meanwhile, the ``Sarala Khata Scheme'' (SKS) will continue for the benefit of over 50,000 people who have not obtained khatas for their properties.

``Even those who have not obtained khatas so far can pay tax through SAS and later obtain a khata by making the relevant payments through SKS,'' he added.

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