Unpaid tax to be recorded on share certificates of flat owners

The civic body has the power to seal and auction properties of tax defaulters, and it should focus on that. PCMC should not involve housing societies in tax recovery—it is not their job. The corporation must use its legal powers to recover dues.

- Vicky Pathare

PUNE: In a bid to recover pending property taxes, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to direct housing societies to record outstanding tax dues on share certificates of flat owners who have defaulted on payments.

This move, however, has sparked criticism from both housing society members and activists.

Officials said the civic body will issue the order letters to housing societies on Tuesday, and defaulters will face restrictions, including disqualification from contesting or voting in society elections.

There are 6,644 housing societies under its jurisdiction, with 77,886 flat owners collectively owing ₹180 crore in unpaid property tax. Despite repeated notices, phone calls, and SMS reminders, many property owners have failed to clear their dues. In response, the civic body has instructed housing societies to enforce stricter measures to ensure compliance.

Housing societies issue share certificates to their members as proof of ownership. Now, PCMC has asked society chairpersons and secretaries to record outstanding tax amounts on these certificates.