Kochi: Kochi corporation has directed its revenue Inspectors to initiate steps to collect property tax from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) for the eight metro stations set up within its limits.
The stations are Edappally, Changampuzha Park, Palarivattom, JLN Stadium, Kaloor, Lissie, MG Road and Maharaja's which became operational in October 2017.
The CAG had arrived at a sum of Rs 43.37 lakh as property tax based on the basic tax of Rs 60 per sq metre fixed by the state local self government department along with mandatory increases including library cess. The corporation deputy secretary has asked revenue inspectors to submit a report by Wednesday after completing the process of assessing the property tax of the stations.
The corporation had in April 16 this year instructed revenue inspectors to assess property tax of these stations but the officers expressed their inability to do so as occupancy certificate had not been made available. The corporation then asked KMRL managing director to submit the relevant documents. The fresh directive has been issued since the process initiated on April 16 did not meet its objective.
The report of the senior audit officer of the CAG's office said that "Government vide G.O.(Rt) No.17/2011/LSGD, Trivan-drum prescribed the minimum rate of property tax to be realised in respect of offices as Rs 60 per sq m. But tax at the prescribed rate in respect of the KMRL constructions were not done and annual tax assessable in respect of KMRL stations worked out to Rs 43,37, 928. The facts and figures may be examined and assessments may be done and tax may be demanded and collected under intimation to audit,” it said.
