Sub-panel formed on Rs 6.33-cr pending property tax of Shimla ISBT

The state government has constituted a sub-committee to take the decision regarding the collection of the pending property tax of Rs 6.33 crore that the Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT) Authority has to pay to the Municipal Corporation (MC), Shimla.

As per the MC, the ISBT management has to pay a sum of Rs 6,33 crore as property tax. The sub-committee will take the decision regarding the steps to be taken to sort out this matter.

Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Shimla, Surender Chauhan, said the ISBT management had to pay the tax to the MC, for which notices had also been issued to it from time to time. He said the corporation wanted the sub-committee to direct the ISBT authorities to pay the pending amount. Besides, the state government’s sub-committee, the MC would take the decision regarding this matter in the upcoming monthly general house meeting. He said the civic body would proceed to cut the power and water supply connections of the ISBT if it did not pay the pending amount.

He said besides being a defaulter of property tax, many shops in the ISBT complex were illegal and action would also be taken in this matter.

In July, the MC had issued a final notice to the ISBT management under Section 121 of the HPMC Act 1994 in which the corporation had directed the ISBT management to pay the outstanding property tax by August 31. However, the ISBT management had requested for additional time to pay the pending amount. Despite being granted additional time, the ISBT management is yet to pay the pending tax to the corporation.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 80 crore, the bus stand was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal. The bus stand is being operated under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode since the year 2011. Located in the Tutikandi locality of the state’s capital, the ISBT houses various shops, a movie theatre, eateries, hotels, besides a bus stand.

Power, water supply can be cut

The MC will take the decision regarding the matter in the upcoming monthly general house meeting. It will proceed to cut the power and water supply connections of the ISBT if it does not pay the pending amount. Many shops in the ISBT complex are also illegal and action will be taken in this matter. — Surender Chauhan, Shimla Mayor