Bengaluru: Amid the economic crisis and lockdown, the BBMP collected as much as Rs.1,048 crores in the form of property tax in just two months. According to the authorities, as the taxpayers were provided with a rebate of 5% on the property tax in these two months, and the BBMP was able to cover the discount with its collections.

In a circular, BBMP Commissioner B.H. Anil Kumar had said the civic body had to extend the rebate period due to the lockdown forcing citizens to stay indoors. This had meant ruling out citizens visiting the banks for the payment of property tax. Several councilors had urged the Commissioner to extend the rebate period and the same was approved by the BBMP council.

According to the BBMP special commissioner (revenue) S Basavaraju, the total property tax target for FY 20-21 fixed by the BBMP is Rs.3,500 Cr. During 2019-20, the BBMP had collected a total of ?2,729.77 crores as property tax, as against a target of ?3,500 crores.

“Between May 27 and 31, in the span of five days, a total of Rs.474 crores property tax was collected,” explained authorities from the revenue section of the BBMP.

However, this is Rs.82 crores less than the corresponding period during the previous year. Authorities cited the lockdown as the cause of this shortfall. According to data received, the highest collection was reported from Mahadevapura ward where a whooping Rs.363 crore has been collected under this head.

With its coffers running low, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is banking on property tax collections.