₹437-Crore property tax dues: 7 properties auctioned in first round as civic body cracks down on defaulters
Bengaluru, Feb 21:
In a stern move against chronic property tax defaulters, the city corporations in Bengaluru on Saturday auctioned seven properties to recover long-pending dues, marking the beginning of what officials say will be a sustained enforcement drive.
According to an official press note, nearly 7,000 properties across the city collectively owe around ₹437 crore in unpaid property tax. Despite repeated reminders — including demand notices, SMS alerts, IVRS calls and local follow-ups — a significant number of owners failed to clear their arrears.
Authorities subsequently issued attachment orders. However, even after more than 60 days from the date of attachment, payments were not made in several cases. Invoking provisions under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act 2024, the civic body initiated auction proceedings as a last resort.
7 Properties Sold
On February 21, joint commissioners of the respective zones conducted auctions beginning with properties that had the highest arrears.
– Two properties were auctioned in the North City Corporation limits
– Five properties were auctioned in the East City Corporation limits
Officials said the sale proceeds will be used to recover outstanding property tax dues.
The civic body clarified that even after properties are notified for auction, owners are given an opportunity to clear arrears before the final sale is concluded. In such cases, the auction process is dropped.
“Despite multiple opportunities, many defaulters have not come forward to pay,” the note stated, adding that auction sales will now continue on a regular basis.
Tightening Revenue Enforcement
Property tax forms a major component of the revenue base of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, funding civic services such as road maintenance, waste management, street lighting and stormwater drains.
Over the past few years, the corporation has stepped up digital monitoring of tax compliance and zonal-level recovery drives. Officials maintain that strict enforcement is necessary to ensure financial sustainability of urban infrastructure in a rapidly expanding metropolis.
With auction proceedings now underway, authorities have urged all property owners who have received auction notices to immediately clear their pending dues to avoid similar action.