Pune: PCMC Intensifies Tax Collection Efforts with High Court Approval for Water Tap Disconnection

By Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 20th March 2024: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has recently made decisive moves regarding tax collection, prompted by a ruling from the Bombay High Court. The court has sanctioned a campaign to disconnect internal tap connections for those flat owners who are in arrears within PCMC societies. Accordingly, residents with outstanding property tax dues are urged to cooperate with PCMC by settling their arrears promptly.

With the Taxation and Tax Collection Department of PCMC tasked with achieving a target of Rs 1,000 crores, efforts have been intensified to meet this goal. Although Rs 860 crores have already been collected, additional measures are being implemented to bridge the gap before the financial year’s end. The recent High Court decision further bolsters these efforts, providing legal backing to PCMC’s endeavors.

The legal backdrop stems from a writ petition filed in 2023 against the Government of Maharashtra, Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation, and others, culminating in the Bombay High Court’s ruling on February 15. PCMC has since received a copy of the court order, facilitating the enforcement of disconnecting tap connections for defaulters within certain societies.

This action raised questions regarding PCMC’s authority to disconnect tap connections for property tax defaults, which prompted the court’s intervention. During the proceedings, the court expressed concern over property owners’ reluctance to pay taxes, affirming PCMC’s right to utilize lawful measures to recover arrears, akin to the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation’s approach, if necessary.

In addressing the complexities of the situation, it was underscored that societies with compliant flat owners who have settled property and water taxes should not face tap connection disconnection. PCMC is urged to provide a specific timeframe for societies with arrears to rectify their status. Should society officials fail to act, PCMC is empowered to disconnect tap connections. Nevertheless, the court has reiterated that property owners seeking PCMC services must fulfill their tax obligations comprehensively.

PCMC is instituting a proactive approach to address property tax arrears within societies. Henceforth, societies with outstanding arrears will be required to disseminate a copy of the Bombay High Court judgment and a list of arrears on their WhatsApp group and notice board. Defaulters will be given a three-day written deadline to disconnect internal tap connections. Society office bearers must ensure that this directive reaches all members.

If tap connections remain intact after the deadline, PCMC will take necessary action to disconnect them. PCMC urges defaulters to settle arrears promptly to prevent inconvenience to society members. The administrative procedure for tap connection disconnection will commence tomorrow, Thursday. Defaulters are urged to settle their dues immediately to avoid any adverse repercussions.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh emphasized the recent legal validation of tap connection disconnection by the Bombay High Court. Consequently, PCMC’s Taxation and Tax Collection Department has been instructed to enforce this measure rigorously from tomorrow onwards