Never ending crisis coupled with ‘lethargic’ attitude of the Delhi Government in clearing its dues, has further crippled the functioning of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC).
Faced with financial constraints, the BJP ruled civic body has adopted a slew of measures to make the corporation self reliant.
When asked about the pressing financial issues, Varsha Joshi, the Commissioner of North Corporation told The Pioneer, “The civic body has already issued eight lakh ‘Unique Property Identification Code’ (UPIC) to property owners with an aim to boost property tax revenue. She said that four lakh more UPICs are also being prepared and will be issued to property owners within a month”.
The Corporation has recorded a 20 per cent rise in its property tax collection in financial year 2018-19 compared to Rs 555.18 crore in the financial year 2017-18.
It has collected a highest ever Rs 666 Crore, Joshi said, adding that the process to bring an estimated four to five lakh more property owners who have not been surveyed, would soon be started.
Joshi further said that an SMS reminders will be sent to all UPIC holders who have not paid taxes to take advantage of the rebate which is available till end June.
“I urge all property owners of North MCD to pay their due before deadline to avoid any inconvenience. The corporations’ interactive online portal for property tax system is very simple and even allows residents to put query or apply for details regarding property tax,” she said.
“Apart from property tax, we have initiated several major revenue earning projects which will not only help the corporation stand financially but also improve the overall ambience of North Delhi since high quality real estate projects will be initiated”, Joshi said.
“We are simultaneously taking up streets capping and area improvement programme on the lines of Karol Bagh across the jurisdiction of the Corporation to make it an attractive place both for residents and for investors.
Cash- strapped North corporation has to face continual protests by its sanitation workers, Doctors and other staff over salary issue.
Resident doctors of Bara Hindu Rao Hospital which is managed by the civic body, have also declared a pen-down strike from Monday saying that they have not been paid for the past three months.
Corporation officials said that they are trying their best to mitigate this crisis since patients will suffer in the wake of doctors not performing their duties.
