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Last few days of the rebate period, there’s good response across the city

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

According to source, there is a good response across the city from property taxpayers for paying property tax in full for 2010-11 and avail 5 per cent rebate on property tax. “The online payment system had some problems due to a problem with the bank server. The staff shortage was only on the first two days of census work as officials had to guide enumerators in some cases. But, it’s all sorted out.” says BBMP officials.

On Monday, at least 2,000 property tax transactions were made at 64 Bangalore-One centres and 1,800 people paid this tax online. BBMP officials said the collection for this block period could cross Rs 150 crore and include 2 lakh properties by April 30.Anticipating the rush, tax counters remained open even on Sunday.

However, complaints continued to pour in. Some taxpayers complained that the authorities insisted on new forms be filled with application form numbers of the last two block periods (2008 -09 and 2009-10) along with the previous receipt numbers.

“When it is computerised and a property register is available, why is this needed? If BBMP still wants the numbers, a database must be made available at collection centres or BBMP should have a helpline to provide required information to citizens, especially those who are not computer savvy and the urban poor,’’ said a resident of Jayanagar.

A resident of Kalyan Nagar complained how she had to make repeated visits to the help centre to pay the tax. Finally, she decided to pay it at the BangaloreOne centre in her area. Residents in some parts of Jayanagar also complained of no staff at a few help centres.

Collection timings not properly displayed at centres, No clear information about tax collection at BangaloreOne centres in some areas,problem with the server for online payment and not enough application forms at some help centres are some common complaints by taxpayers.

Penalties

For those who fail to pay property tax of earlier period for 2008-09 or 2009-10 or both, penalty calculated at 2% per month
Penalty will be calculated @ 2% per month from June 1, 2010 for those who fail to pay first installment
penalty @ 2% will commence from December 1, 2010 till date of payment for those who fail to pay second installment

Tax Calendar

  • April 30, 2010: 5% rebate if paid in full
  • May 30, 2010: Full payment or firsthalf installment without penalty
  • November 29, 2010: Second halfyear tax without penalty
  • penalty @ 2% will calculated  till date of payment for defaulters

Source: Times of India


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7 days left for availing rebate on property tax

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

BBMP property tax for the new financial year 2010-11 has already begun from April 1st 2010. The property owners who want to avail a rebate of five percent on property tax need to file and pay property tax 2010-11 in full on or before April 30. Property owners can fill up the form online and make an online payment or download the form, print it, and submit it at the nearest ARO office on the same day.

There are two different forms to be filled up - Form IV (white form) - in case of no change in usage or built-up area from the previous year. If there is any change in relation to these clauses, then the property owner should fill up Form V (blue form). If tax payment has not been made for the previous two financial years, then property owners cannot file their property tax for current year until they pay previous year’s property tax. For filing property tax 2009-10 and 2010-11, property owners should have the application number for tax paid for the year 2008-09.

For owners making the payment in two half yearly installments, two separate forms have to be filled up for each period. The deadline for the first half yearly payment is May 30, 2010. Any details that are missing or have been entered wrongly can be corrected and updated by contacting the nearest ARO office. Any problems with regard to the payment or receipt generation can also be addressed to bbmpsas@bbmp.gov.in. You can also call the numbers - 22247627, 22133029. Online payment can be made using debit and credit cards. The Card payments can be made without any transaction charges.

  • BBMP Helpline - 22247627, 22133029
  • Address problem regarding property tax to bbmpsas@bbmp.gov.in
  • Last date for availing a rebate of five percent on property tax is April 30, 2010
  • Last date for the first half yearly payment is May 30
  • Property tax for current year cannot be filed until payment of previous year’s property tax
  • Online payment can be made using debit and credit cards.

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Entire Bangalore will see dry taps till Saturday

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Entire Bangalore will see dry taps till Saturday afternoon, says the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). By Wednesday evening, the water supply from the Cauvery IV stage I phase was completely affected as a portion of the canal in Handihalla Syphon breached and a major repair work had to be taken up. By evening, the breach had further extended to almost 20 feet. Even the temporary relief measures did not last long. By evening, all valves had to be closed at the Shivanekat and the canal had to be dried up for the MEG task force to repair it.

Major parts of West, East and some parts of South and South-East Bangalore did not get their usual water stock on Thursday. The main areas being Indiranagar, HAL 1st and 2nd stage, K R Puram, Rajajinagar, J P Nagar, Bapujinagar, Domlur, Johnson Market, Nandini layout and Magadi Road.

“The I phase of Cauvery IV stage has already been stopped. All the other phases__I, II and III __will also be stopped by 2 am on Friday. So, there will be no water to most parts of Bangalore till Saturday,” a senior BWSSB official explained.

Source: Times of India


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Home buyers need not worry about being levied a service tax

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Local authorities in some states do not issue completion certificates while others take many years to issue one. The budget for 2010-11 has proposed Service tax if payment is made before the completion of construction. If Home buyers and property developers cannot procure a completion certificate from the local authority they need not worry about being levied a service tax. The government could allow some independent authority to certify that the property is complete.

“We are examining the issue and will see if a similar certificate from an outside agency can suffice,” said a finance ministry official.The service tax will be levied only on 33% of the base price of a flat sold at construction stage. Charges such as development fee, parking fee and premium location usually paid at the time of completion of construction will also be included in the base price. The new rule will come into effect when Parliament approves the budget.

Home buyers and property developers need not worry, if they cannot procure a completion certificate.The finance ministry may admit a certificate from an architect or builders association as a sufficient proof of completion. Sale of fully completed houses will be exempt from the tax if a completion certificate from a local authority is provided.

Non-availability of completion certificate can increase the cost of a property as the 3.3% service tax would be significant, taking the tax element to nearly 10% after including the stamp duty.Property developers had a mixed response to the proposal. Rajeev Talwar, managing director of DLF, the country’s largest developer, felt the flexibility could be abused. However, an executive of Delhi-based developer Ansal API appreciated the government’s decision. “If the government takes the decision to outsource the whole process to an accredited agency, it will take the pressure off the realty firms.”

Reference:

The Economic Times

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Right time to dig recharge wells

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Now that rainwater harvesting has become mandatory in Bangalore, this is the time to dig recharge wells. The law states that the depths should be a minimum of 10 feet. In most parts of the city, a depth of 20 feet to 30 feet is recommended.

All individual households, apartments, layouts, industries and institutions can construct recharge wells and should appropriately include it as part of the design itself. In many cases the groundwater levels increase almost immediately after a rainfall year and this water is available for supplementary and appropriate use. In many cases borewells too are benefited as the shallow aquifer eventually recharges the secondary porosity from where borewells draw water.

A typical recharge well is one meter in diameter. It is then lined with pre-cast concrete rings with perforations to allow water to slip out from the sides. These rings are then gradually lowered into the well to line it from the bottom all the way to the ground level and above. A solid cover of steel or pre-cast concrete rings is placed on the top for security and safety purpose. This is very important.

The capacity of such a recharge well of one meter diameter and six meters depth is about 5,000 liters. Normal procedures for well maintenance, such as regular cleaning and disinfection annually, are recommended. Removal of silt regularly helps in greater recharge. By integrating rainwater harvesting with groundwater recharge each citizen can contribute to the cause by using water judiciously and ensure its continued availability for future.

Source: The Hindu

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RBI to extend banking hours and conduct a special clearing on March 30 and 31

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

To facilitate receipt of taxes from the public the Reserve Bank of India(RBI), Bangalore, and branches of agency banks conducting government business will remain open up to 5.30 pm on March 30 and March 31.

To realize and credit clearing instruments received from the public by March 31 , a special clearing will be conducted on March 30 and 31.

The Reserve Bank of India, Bangalore, and branches of agency banks conducting government business will remain open up to 5.30 pm on March 30 and March 31 to receive cash, deposits, cheques and instruments representing government taxes.

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BBMP Election 2010 were marred by poor voter turnout

Monday, March 29th, 2010

The poor turnout in the posh areas of the city and the general voter apathy was cause enough for several politicians to spit fire at Bangalore, and to hint that if people did not turn out to vote they had no right to criticize the ruling class.The much-awaited elections to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) were marred by poor voter turnout, with the State Election Commission pegging the voting percentage in the city at 44.6 per cent.

Not even a single vote was polled in polling station No 10 of Benniganahalli, situated in the defence colony C V Raman Nagar.Only 161 of 1,085 voters had cast their votes till 3 pm in polling station No. 6 of Seshadripuram ward, which falls in the most elite area of the ward.

“They have no right to blame politicians when they do not vote in the very important process of democracy,” Kumaraswamy said. Krishna Byregowda, MLA from Byatarayanapura Assembly segment echoed similar sentiments. Byregowda said: “These people always demand facilities from government but are not ready to spend a few minutes to exercise their franchise. I consider the poor turnout as the failure of the educated people.”  Going a step further, Transport Minister in-charge of Bangalore R Ashok scolded people for watching films and going to restaurants instead of voting and called for making voting compulsory.

“It is a shame on part of educated people. I don’t know why these people have no time even to come to polling stations to elect a right candidate.It is a pity and disappointment to see that educated people prefer to watch films instead of polling. Voting should be made compulsory,” the minister R Ashok said.

Several voters found their names missing from the voter’s list or mentioned in wrong ward numbers. Many voters were not allowed to cast their vote in spite of having valid election photo identity cards, as their names were missing. This included first time voters as well as holders of the new voters ID cards issued in 2009.

Reference:

expressbuzz.com

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Voting is Your Right and Responsibility

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Bangalore city goes to polls on 28th March 2010 and contestants are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters.It is only less than five days left for BBMP election and Campaigning modes like publicity material, announcements, radio and TV announcements, public meetings, rallies and door-to-door campaigning with handbills and pamphlets going to end by March 26.

The tech savvy contestants will canvas till the day of the elections through e-campaigning.The contestants especially those who have opted for the social networking sites campaign through SMS or social networking sites till the day of the elections.

Janaagraha Jaagte Raho campaign has teamed up with CommonFloor (www.commonfloor.com), an online application that provides a feature rich and private portal for residential community/apartment complex to ensure all Bangalore residents to vote.

Check out websites http://bit.ly/b5jFu8 for final list of candidates in your locality or neighborhood. Know about candidates whom you are going to vote before the day of election. Voting is your right and responsibility, on 28th March set aside your busy shedule or works and ensure that you and your family members vote. Volunteer to assist those with disabilities or transportation issues get to the polls. If you’re a student, educate your friends and others about BBMP election.

Source: Get Out The Vote – BBMP Elections 2010

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Daughters have equal rights in property

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Karnataka High Court on Friday upheld the Hindu Succession Amendment Act, 2005. A daughter is entitled to equal share like the son in the co-parcenary property and the marriage in no way affects her right to equal share in that property. This means those daughters born after June 17, 1956, when the parent Hindu Succession Act came into force, can challenge proceedings with regard to their coparcenary properties.

The division Bench headed by Justice N Kumar observed, Son is a son until he gets a wife, however a daughter is a daughter throughout her life. A married daughter is also a co-parcener and is entitled to equal share like the son in the co-parcenary property and the marriage in no way affects her right to equal share in that property. The daughters can challenge proceedings with regard to their coparcenary properties but cannot challenge where there is a registered partition deed and when a partition has reached finality in court by a final decree from the highest court.

Coparcenary is a type of co-tenancy where property descends to two or more persons on the death of the owner.Since the passing of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (‘the Act’), one issue which was constantly agitated by the liberals was regarding the right of a daughter or a married daughter in coparcenary property of a Hindu Undivided Family.

The amendment wants to give such rights from the day the Act came into force. This is the will of the people, the Bench observed.

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Reduction in stamp duty is a boon

Friday, March 12th, 2010

In recent Karnataka budget 2010-11, the decrease in stamp duty is expected to cause some optimism among home buyers. Real estate sector is gradually becoming active and reduction in stamp duty in recent budget is boon for for those homebuyers or investing in real estate.

Stamp duty on Deposition of Title Deed (DTD) would be would be reduced to 0.10 per cent from previous 0.25 per cent subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs.50,000. For amalgamation and de-merger of companies, present rate of 5 per cent would be brought down to 3 per cent. One per cent duty would be imposed on papers of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR).

An appropriate amendments would be brought in to stop stamp duty evasion in transfer of apartments/flats. Stamp duty on Agreement to Sale to be modified from 0.25 per cent to 0.10 per cent subject to a maximum of Rs.20,000. After further simplifying of duty structure in respect of lease and license, Stamp Duty at the rate of 0.50 per cent will be imposed for a period up to 1 year subject to a maximum of Rs.500 for residential buildings. Stamp Duty would be imposed one, two and three per cent respectively for a period of one year to 10 years, 10 to 20 years, 20 to 30 years, based on average of one-year. rentals and advance

Stamp Duty and Registration Fee exemption

In the recent budget 2010-11, it is decide to exempt Stamp Duty and Registration Fee fully in respect of loan documents of rainwater harvesting units, houses built under Indira Avas Scheme and non-conventional sources of energy - like solar and bio-gas energy units. Stamp Duty and Registration Fee exemption will be granted in respect of documents transferring properties for public purposes, free of cost to local bodies and urban development authorities. Duty in respect of annulment of all kinds of documents will be simplified.

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