KOLAR: Kolar district which is bordering district of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu has achieved a historic achievement by collecting 100% of the current demand revenue for the year 2025-26, said Kolar Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Praveen P Bagewadi.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, Praveen said that the tax collection process has been completed very successfully in all the gram panchayats of the district.
A senior government officer said the revenue collected would be used to provide direct benefits to rural citizens, with priority given to drinking water supply, maintenance of street lights and sanitation in villages. The funds would also help meet statutory obligations, including clearing arrears of salaries of gram panchayat staff, and support other needs such as maintaining rural libraries.
Explaining the technological changes behind the achievement, Praveen said properties that were previously unrecorded had been identified and added to the system, while property tax had been revised scientifically through changes in tax rules. He added that the efforts of Gram Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) and staff, who visited households and actively engaged in tax collection, played a key role, with teamwork helping achieve 100% collection.
Praveen also said taxpayers responded promptly when contacted, aiding the process. He added that priority would now be given to tackling the water crisis during the summer and providing fodder for cattle, noting that meetings had been held and instructions issued to panchayat officials to visit villages and submit daily reports.