VARANASI: Following detection of a large number of hotels paying a meager amount against house tax estimated by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation in lakhs, the VMC has carried out a massive drive against such defaulters.The drive led to over 200% jump in tax collection of the VMC in past two-three months.Trainee IAS and joint municipal commissioner Gaurav Songarwal, who is leading this drive, told TOI on Thursday, “Under the on-going drive, the VMC tax collection teams raided two hotels in Bhelupur area. Against house tax Rs 1.90 lakh per annum one of these hotels was depositing only Rs 276 per annum while the other was depositing only Rs 9,000 against annual tax assessed as Rs 3.93 lakh per annum.”The hotels were asked to clear the dues or get ready getting sealed. Songarwal said that one of them paid Rs six lakh while other deposited Rs 2.50 lakh immediately and sought time to clear all the dues.” Of total house tax 80% revenue is generated from buildings registered in commercial category. On examining the list of buildings in commercial category it surfaced that maximum defaulters were owners of hotels, guest houses and lodges, said the officials.Songarwal said top 20 list of defaulters in each of five zones of VMC were prepared to realise the dues. The process was started after ensuring proper tax assessment of such defaulters, he said adding that the drive started yielding positive results in past two-three months as per day collection of house tax rose to Rs 25 lakh from Rs 10 -15 lakh. Target for house tax collection for 2018-19 financial year was of Rs 43 crore while Rs 34 crore had already been realized so far, he said.

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