Mysuru:  Own a property in Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) layouts that have not yet been handed over to Mysuru City Corporation (MCC)? Then get ready to pay property tax. For, the MCC  has decided to collect property taxes from the owners in these localities that have been formed by MUDA.

The MCC is collecting taxes in order to provide basic amenities to the layouts. Interestingly, some of the layouts are yet to be taken over by the MCC and the civic body is going ahead and collecting taxes. MCC has been sending notices to all property owners in these layouts including Vijayanagar Third Stage.

The notice says that property owners need to pay taxes for supply of drinking water, sanitation and underground drain connection. Provisions have already been made by the civic body in these layouts, some of which are within the Outer Ring Road limits.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha said that of the 66 layouts developed by MUDA, the MCC has already taken over 44 layouts and has started the process of taking over the remaining 22 layouts.

“MUDA only develops layouts and it is the MCC that has to provide basic amenities. We will take over the remaining 22 layouts soon and we have been providing all facilities to the MUDA layouts for many years. We have requested the property owners to voluntarily pay tax to the Corporation for the basic amenities we have provided,” he said.

The Commissioner clarified that by paying property tax, residents cannot claim Khata and building licence from MCC as these can be provided only after layouts are transferred to MCC.

He added that due process will be followed while taking over the MUDA layouts to MCC jurisdiction and the civic body is not violating any rule by asking residents (of layouts that are still with MUDA) to pay property taxes.

“By levying property taxes, we hope to increase the MCC revenue by 20 percent. When I took over as the MCC Commissioner, the civic body had tax revenue of Rs.90 crore and it has reached Rs.100 crore. We are aiming to reach the target of Rs. 120 crore soon,” he added.

RESIDENTS COMPLAIN

While the MCC is planning to mop up revenues by collecting taxes from the layouts that it has not yet taken over, residents of those layouts that have already been taken over by MCC have complained that the MCC does not clear garbage in their areas.

It may be recalled here that Star of Mysore had published many letters where residents had highlighted this issue of garbage clearance and overflowing drains. Residents of Vijayanagar Third Stage in particular have complained that the MCC and MUDA have orphaned them as garbage clearance was not regular.

“Garbage cleaning is not carried out regularly in Vijayanagar Third Stage. Also the drainage near Mulakanadu Bhavan in the area often overflows and due to this, foul smell is emanated,”  said a resident.