Women SHG groups to collect property tax, water tariff in 315 civic bodies

BENGALURU, Karnataka: The Government of Karnataka has decided that the women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be collecting property tax and water tariff from households in 315 urban local bodies in Karnataka.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led state cabinet has also decided to give five per cent commission of the collected tax to the SHG groups. The decision has been taken considering that due to inefficient tax collection, property tax arrears in 315 urban local bodies amounted to ₹1,860.17 crore.

HK Patil, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, informed that the cabinet’s decision would apply to town municipal councils, town panchayats, city municipal councils, ten city corporations, and four notified areas. Regarding water connections, the minister said there are 51.51 lakh houses in the urban local bodies, of which water connections have been provided to 30.05 lakh houses and 21.46 lakh households are yet to be given water connection. Shortage of staff in the civic bodies and inefficient tax collection, especially property tax collection and water cess, are the primary causes for roping in women SHG groups. The issue of inefficient tax collection has often been highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General in their reports.