Coimbatore Corporation Council Expresses Concerns Over Property Tax Assessments via Drones
During the recent Coimbatore Corporation Council meeting, several councillors raised concerns over the property tax assessment process conducted using drones. The corporation commissioner, M Sivaguru Prabakaran, responded to these queries by providing an explanation of how the drones were being utilized and the benefits they brought to the assessment process.
Role of Drones in Property Tax Assessment
Prabakaran clarified that the drones were employed to identify residential properties that had been converted into commercial ones, monitor plan violations, and identify new structures that weren’t included in previous assessments. The use of drones allowed for a more efficient and thorough survey of the properties.
He further mentioned that in addition to the drone surveys, corporation officials would physically measure the identified properties. These measurement details would be sent as a notice to the respective property owners, giving them a 15-day period to respond.
Response to Valid Objections and Detection of Violations
Addressing valid objections, Prabakaran assured property owners that if they had legitimate concerns regarding the assessments, the existing property tax rates would continue to apply. However, if any violations were found in the process, the tax on those properties would be increased. This approach ensures fairness and discourages non-compliant practices.
Prabakaran also emphasized that the purpose of accurate property tax assessments is to generate revenue for the city. These funds are vital for financing infrastructure projects that benefit the entire community.
Outcome of the Council Meeting
The recent council meeting was chaired by Mayor K Ranganayaki, who was elected on August 6. Deputy Mayor R Vetriselvan also attended the session. It was a productive meeting, with a total of 83 resolutions presented for consideration.
Out of the 83 resolutions, all but three were passed by the council. One of the rejected resolutions proposed a fixed monthly fee for users of indoor sports courts in 17 wards, while another suggested a revision of the building permit fee for residential buildings exceeding 3,500 sq ft.
In addition, against objections from the chairperson of the finance and taxation committee, V B Mubasheera, the council approved 17 resolutions related to finance, revenue, and taxation. Details of these resolutions were not provided in the available information.
Overall, the council meeting addressed crucial concerns regarding the drone-based property tax assessments. It highlighted the important role of accurate assessments in generating revenue for the city’s infrastructure projects. By utilizing drones and combining them with physical measurements, the council aims to ensure fairness and compliance in property tax assessments.
