Bengaluru residents demand halt on property tax collection citing ‘unscientific’ civic work

Frustrated by recurring floods, chaotic road-related work, and unplanned civic projects, residents of the eastern parts of Bengaluru have urged the government of Karnataka to suspend property tax collection until basic infrastructure is restored.

In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, members of the Individual Tax Payers’ Forum (ITPF) from Varthur, Panathur, and Balagere, a citizens’ group representing income tax payers, accused civic agencies of carrying out ‘unscientific, incomplete, and poorly coordinated’ white-topping and drainage work that have led to severe flooding, and disruption of traffic and normal life.

The letter, dated October 13, stated that despite repeated appeals and even the Chief Minister’s visit to flood-hit Varthur on September 27, authorities failed to resolve the problems and have taken up patchwork, pointing to major flooding in the area on October 10 and 11. 

The group alleged that drainage lines were being linked to sewage manholes, causing backflow during heavy rains. They said newly resurfaced stretches, particularly on Panathur Main Road, were already holding water because of faulty gradient design.

The forum has sought a scientific audit of all ongoing work, and completion of the stormwater network before any new white-topping, and stricter accountability for contractors and officials. It also urged the government to construct safe footpaths, and act against encroachments blocking natural drainage channels.

“Namma Bengaluru is globally known as India’s IT hub, but such civic negligence erodes the pride and credibility of Brand Bengaluru,” the forum stated. “Citizens are not against paying taxes, but want them to be reflected in better services. Give us good public infrastructure and collect tax. If the GBA continues to ignore taxpayers’ requests, we request you to order them not to collect property tax from us,” the letter states.

Swetha, a member of the ITPF, said that the letter, signed by close to 40 residents of the area, had been sent to the Chief Minister via email.

“Let them exempt us from paying taxes. We will use that money to improve the infrastructure in our area instead of depending on them,” she told The Hindu.