An ongoing survey has disclosed that approximately 35% of properties within the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) boundaries are not registered with the property tax department. The PCMC administration has enlisted an external agency to conduct the survey and allocate a Unique Property Identification Code (UPIC) to each property, serving as a distinct identifier within the PCMC jurisdiction. This UPIC allows property owners to access various services, including tax payments to the civic body.
Pradeep Jambhale Patil, the additional municipal commissioner of PCMC, stated that the numbering of properties has commenced in several areas, with a primary focus on Bhosari, Wakad, and Pimpri Wagjhre. Notably, around 35% of these properties have been found to be unregistered with the property tax department, resulting in non-payment of property taxes to the PCMC.
Wakad Area, in particular, hosts a significant number of unregistered properties. The ongoing survey has already numbered 305,573 properties, with approximately 300 personnel from the agency actively working in the field for the past six months. The comprehensive survey, including the internal measurement of each property, is anticipated to conclude within the next 1.5 years.
Patil emphasized that of the six lakh properties presently registered with the property tax department, the ongoing survey indicates the likelihood of discovering two to three lakh unregistered properties by its completion. Subsequently, the municipal corporation plans to issue notices to these property owners, urging them to register with the civic body.
A civic official noted that the expected property tax, initially estimated at Rs 6 billion, may double once these unregistered properties are accounted for. This extensive survey is unprecedented, and officials highlight that such detailed information about unregistered properties has not been available in the past. Property owners are encouraged to register to avail themselves of the benefits offered by the civic body.
