BBMP to hold distress sale of properties with highest outstanding tax

Bengaluru: Starting December 1, the BBMP will exercise its legal provision to conduct distress sales of properties belonging to major property tax defaulters.

Although this provision has never been utilised before, Section 15G of the BBMP Act allows the civic body to attach and auction immovable properties to recover tax arrears.

BBMP Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil issued instructions to officials as the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme ends this month.

“Chronic arrear cases with substantial unpaid dues will face distress sales of their immovable properties, starting with the highest arrears, under the BBMP’s Property Tax Assessment, Recovery, and Management Rules of 2024. This process will begin on December 1, once the OTS period ends,” he stated.

The BBMP will target both residential and non-residential properties with arrears older than three years. Officials urge defaulters to clear dues by the end of this month, as the OTS offers reductions of more than half on outstanding amounts.