BBMP lays siege' to Manyata Park

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Monday seized movable property, including furniture, photocopiers, awards and trophies, television sets, computer monitors and others, from the information centre at Manyata Tech Park in Nagavara for not paying the property tax.

A warrant to seize the properties was issued against Manyata Tech Park by the Assistant Revenue Officer (ARO) of Thanisandra for nonpayment of property tax, including penalties, that ran up to Rs 273 crore. “They have been paying a tax of Rs 8 per sqft since 2008-2009, while they are supposed to pay Rs 10 per sqft. The actual tax due was Rs 84 crore, but with the double penalty for wrong declaration and an addition of 24 percent interest, the company has to pay ' 273 crore,” a BBMP official said. The calculation is based on Section 108, 13(B) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act (KMC).

He said, “We did not seize computer CPUs, but only the monitors. We are yet to calculate the worth of the seized items. We listed all the items in a letter and got it signed by Manyata Tech Park staff. We also got a copy signed for us. The BBMP legal cell was informed about the seizure and to take necessary action to recover the tax.”

“As the matter of alleged payment of differential property tax dues being made by BBMP retrospectively is subjudice before the High Court, it would be inappropriate to comment on the same," said Embassy Group, which owns Manyata Tech Park.