In a significant move, the Bhilai Municipal Corporation has served a notice to the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), demanding ₹228 crore in property tax. The BSP is required to pay the mentioned amount within 30 days. The corporation is also preparing to conduct a drone survey of the township and plant properties.
The Bhilai Municipal Corporation has issued a notice to the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), requiring them to pay ₹228 crore in property tax for the financial year 2024-25. The corporation has given a 30-day window for the payment. However, the tax has not been paid by BSP yet. Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Pandey explained that a detailed survey of BSP’s properties will be conducted, with a proposal for a drone survey by IIT Bhilai. While other agencies were considered for the survey, discussions with IIT are in the final phase.
In this property tax issue, the BSP management has gathered a 6000-page document through the Right to Information (RTI). Both sides are trying to strengthen their positions, accusing each other.
The corporation alleges that BSP has not disclosed commercial properties, including hospitals, schools, and parks. According to the corporation, the BSP’s affidavit did not mention hospitals, schools, parks, CISF, BSF, ITBP, SSB quarters, and religious and social buildings. The corporation claims that BSP generates revenue by charging fees from private patients at these hospitals and renting out school buildings. The corporation asserts that tax is applicable on such properties, which BSP has not paid.
Multiple meetings between the corporation administration and BSP management have taken place concerning the property tax, yet no resolution has been found. The old tax dispute is presently under consideration in the High Court, and now a new notice has been issued.