Mushrooming service apartments cost BBMP ₹ 350 cr loss

In places like Mahadevpura, East Zone, Bommanahalli and Yelahanka, these service apartments are more in number. But due to its negligence, the BBMP is not even capable of sourcing even 150 crore.

The BBMP, which is known for its financial indiscipline, has once again faced the storm as it has been accused of letting go the opportunity of tapping funds from mushrooming service apartments.

An RTI activist NR Ramesh has revealed that, when he obtained documents from town planning department of BBMP, there were 24,000 apartments in Bengaluru City and out of that, the BBMP has 6,000 service apartments. But due to its negligence, the BBMP is not even capable of sourcing even 150 crore.

"The BBMP said it has collected Rs 45 crore from 450 services apartments and refused to agree that the City has over 5,000 similar apartments. The revenue officers, assistant revenue officers, revenue inspectors and tax inspectors are responsible for such a misery. There should a probe in this regard," said Ramesh.

He also said that, in places like Mahadevpura, East Zone, Bommanahalli and Yelahanka, these service apartments are more in number.

Ramesh said he also had given a complaint to Upa Lokayukta, Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force in this regard.

MK Gunashekhar, Standing Committee Chairman for Tax and Finance said, “The BBMP is having a problem in resource mobilisation. The complaint of Ramesh will be taken seriously and BBMP revenue department will be asked to crack a whip of such apartments that are escaping from the tax net. If the officials fail in their duty to get the exact figures, they will face action.”