BBMP to sue 4,000 residents

BBMP to sue 4,000 residents
The civic authority to file criminal cases against the defaulters after cheques from tax payers bounce
ATUL CHATURVEDI


Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner Bharat Lal Meena has ordered his officials to file cases against 4,000 residents after the cheques they submitted for payment of property tax bounced.
The civic boy had planned to collect Rs 2,000 crore tax from residents through self-assessment scheme (SAS). While it received only Rs 800 crore in cash, the rest was paid through cheques and other modes of payment. However, the BBMP got a shocker when the bankers returned around 8,000 of the cheques citing shortage of funds.
Of the 8,000 bounced cheques, 4,000 residents have made the payments again. Now, the authorities have decided to taking action against the remaining 4,000. “The estimated loss is Rs 600 crore. We have already booked 200 cases. A special cell has been opened in head office to initiate legal proceedings against the defaulters,” said Meena.
MISSING PARTICULARS
Meena said the cheques were returned for various reasons. “Some of them were unsigned, while others were corrected twice. We have asked taxpayers to write their names, full address and phone numbers on the reverse of the cheques or it will not be accepted,” Meena added.
MIXED REACTION
Many residents supported BBMP’s move to pull up the defaulters. N S Mukund, president of Citizen Action Forum said, “Cheque bounce is a criminal offence. It is good that BBMP is taking tough action against them.”
Kathyayini Chamaraj, executive trustee of CIVIC Bangalore said, “Offenders can’t get away doing such things. Officials have to book cases against more such citizens.”
However, Sajjan Raj Mehta, president of Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association chose to differ. “Instead of filing cases, BBMP should take the citizens into confidence. They can charge penalty instead of filing cases.”