GUNTUR: Even as demonetisation has affected business establishments and other institutions, the urban local bodies have been earning huge revenue for the last 10 days as people are allowed to pay public utility bills in old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has collected a record tax revenue of Rs 5.68 crore from people.
As per the Centre’s relaxation, the GMC has been accepting demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes for payment of property, water, vacant land and other taxes. On November 11, the municipal corporation collected a whopping Rs 2.44 crore towards taxes, setting an all time record in revenue collection. The municipal corporation officials set up 10 special counters at the GMC office to meet the rush of tax payers, besides allowing tax collection in demonetised notes in Mee Seva centres, HDFC and IDBI banks. The GMC has netted Rs 4.81 crore towards property, vacant land and water taxes since November 11. It collected a record Rs 87,65,271 as vacant land tax.
Speaking to Express, GMC Commissioner S Nagalakshmi said citizens were coming forward to pay their taxes and clear arrears by availing themselves of the relaxation to pay public utility bills in demonetised currency. The citizens have a chance to pay their taxes till November 24 in old currency, she said.
The coffers of other municipalities in the district are also swelling in the aftermath of demonetisation. Narasaraopet Municipal Commissioner A Bhanu Prasad said Rs 93 lakh was collected as property tax in the last 10 days.