BBMP’s property auction drive spurs large-scale tax payments

Bengaluru’s civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has witnessed a significant surge in property tax payments following its recent auction announcement. Fearing the seizure of their assets, a substantial number of defaulters cleared their dues, resulting in a recovery of ₹18 crore.

Also read: BBMP cracks down on property tax defaulters: Over 81,000 properties attached, 7,000 sealed

Out of 608 properties initially listed for auction, 555 owners promptly settled their outstanding amounts. The auction, originally scheduled for February 13, was postponed due to a lack of bidders. However, the mere declaration of the auction served as a strong deterrent, prompting swift payments from property owners.

BBMP Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil reportedly confirmed that efforts to recover dues from remaining defaulters are ongoing. The civic body is now preparing to auction an additional 3,000 properties as part of its intensified tax collection drive. In the first batch of defaulters, BBMP had aimed to recover ₹20 crore, achieving 90% of the target.

The enforcement drive gained momentum after the one-time settlement (OTS) scheme expired in November 2024. In January 2025, BBMP attached 81,644 properties, with a total of 2,06,753 defaulters owing ₹329.15 crore.

With recovery efforts intensifying, BBMP is implementing stricter measures, including auctions, to enhance compliance and boost revenue.