CHENNAI CORPORATION: Special counters set up to collect property tax

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai, on July 28, 2010:

CHENNAI: With a view to making property tax payment a hasslefree affair for assessees, the Corporation is launching a new facility whereby a special property tax collection counter would be set up at all 155 ward offices.
According to sources, the new service would be launched in Kilpauk Zone's 15 wards (W64 to W78) from the first week of August on a trial basis. Mayor M Subramanian is expected to inaugurate the facility at one of the ward offices.

Based on the public's response, the civic body will expand the facility to other zones in a phased manner. The tax collection counters will remain open on Saturdays and Sundays too. They will remain closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Under the existing system, assessees are required to either visit their zonal office or opt for online services to remit their property tax.

A junior assistant level Corporation staff member will be posted at ward offices to collect property tax during office hours.

Ward offices will only collect cheques for the amount payable as property tax and if the assessees prefer to pay tax in cash, they will have to do the same at the zonal office. About 15 staff to be posted at these counters are undergoing training.