Satara civic body yet to recover Rs 30.58 crore in taxes, steps up collection drive

The Satara Municipal Council has focused its efforts on collecting house tax and water tax to shore up its finances. A target of Rs 48.75 crore had been set for the financial year 2026-27, but only Rs 18.17 crore had been collected by October 23. The civic body is now left with Rs 30.58 crore still to recover.

Money is needed for the council's day-to-day administration as well as for roads, water supply, sanitation, street lights and other civic amenities. House tax and water tax are the council's most important sources of revenue. If collection falls short of expectations, the funds in hand could be constrained, and the administration may face difficulties in financially planning the development works that have been decided.

The council had estimated earnings of Rs 44.67 crore from house tax and Rs 4.08 crore from water tax this year. So far, Rs 17.17 crore has come in from house tax and only Rs 1 crore from water tax. Collection stands at 37.27 per cent of the overall target. To reach the target, the administration will have to speed up recovery in the time that remains.

To step up collection, the council has taken a tough line against defaulters. From October 16, a penalty of 2 per cent per month has been levied on unpaid tax. Rs 81.57 lakh has been collected so far as penalty.

So that people face no difficulty in paying, the council's tax payment centre will stay open all seven days of the week, including Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm. Chief Officer Vinod Jalak has appealed to defaulters to support the council by paying their taxes on time.

The target is Rs 48.75 crore, of which Rs 18.17 crore, or 37.27 per cent, has been collected. Rs 30.58 crore remains to be recovered. The collection comprises Rs 17.17 crore from house tax, Rs 1 crore from water tax and Rs 81.57 lakh from penalty. All eyes are now on how much of the remaining Rs 30.58 crore the administration is able to recover.