Holding tax, an important component of revenue, is calculated on the basis of plinth area of the holding (building). The tax assessment varies, as there are different slabs for commercial and residential buildings. Apart from educational institutions, govt and commercial establishments and residential houses pay holding tax every year based on the annual assessment done by the civic body. While some had huge current dues, others had both arrears and current dues.The BMC filtered the defaulters’ list from the total number of assessed holdings. “From every ward, we listed 50 defaulters, and the respective list is available with the zonal deputy commissioner concerned for collection and necessary action. OUTR and BJB College are among the top defaulters, with Rs 4 crore and Rs 3.5 crore pending against them. We raised the demand and are in touch with the institution authorities,” said BMC deputy commissioner Suryamani Pattajoshi.BMC officials said be it a govt or private institution, they cannot evade paying holding tax as the rule is applicable to all. “Holding tax can be reassessed if the institution is not satisfied with our calculation, but it cannot be exempted,” Pattajoshi added.Jhumki Rath, principal, BJB College, said they forwarded the tax demand letter raised by BMC to the higher education department, while admitting that there is a huge pendency of several years. “The college does not have a big fund to address the holding tax issue. We took up the issue with the higher education department. Based on their advice, we will proceed,” Rath told TOI.OUTR vice-chancellor Bibhuti Biswal said they paid Rs 1 crore of tax last year and another Rs 1.5 crore 3 days ago, but there are still pending dues. “We urged the BMC to reassess the tax. Also, we asked them to guide us on what basis the tax is calculated,” Biswal told TOI.
