BBMP plans CVS hotlines

BBMP plans CVS hotlines
By Afshan Yasmeen,DH News Service,Bangalore:
The grievance cells will be set up at the BBMP head office and citizens service centres at Jayanagar, Mayo Hall and Sampige Road.

With protests against CVS (Capital Value System) of property tax assessment intensifying, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is contemplating setting up grievance cells and hotlines for the benefit of aggrieved citizens.

Firm on introducing the new system from this financial year, the Palike is making all efforts to work out an acceptable model for citizens.

“As the shifting over to CVS will not put additional tax burden on every property owner, we are planning to set up grievance cells, helplines and hotlines for people who feel that their rates have shot up drastically under the new system,” top official sources told Deccan Herald on Sunday.

Grievance cells

The grievance cells will be set up at the BBMP head office and citizens’ service centres at Jayanagar, Mayo Hall and Sampige Road.

That apart, helplines are also being planned at all the offices of the Assistant Revenue Officers (AROs) and five new zonal offices in Mahadevapura, Rajaje-shwarinagar, Byataraya-napura, Bommanahalli and Dasarahalli, the sources said.

The hotline that was set up for Sakrama is likely to be used for CVS too. The existing office numbers of the AROs and zonal offices will be used for the helplines, the sources explained.

“The Sakrama hotline 3244 0101 is lying unused after the Karnataka High Court stayed the process of implementing the scheme. We are planning to use the same number and add a few more lines if required. Senior BBMP officials from the revenue department will answer the calls,” the sources said.

Information booklets

All these measures will be announced in the information booklets on CVS, which the Palike will release shortly.
The handbook will contain all relevant information about the tax rates, property guidance values, model calculations and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

A tax calculator will be available on the BBMP website for online computation and payment of tax.
“We know that the transition to the new system will not be smooth and easy. No effort will be spared to spread greater awareness about the scheme and help property owners file the tax returns without any hassle,” the sources added.