Property tax crackdown sparks row: GBA accused of targeting poor, sparing big defaulters

BJP leader N.R. Ramesh writes to Chief Commissioner, alleges biased recovery drive, selective action, and misuse of auction powers by GBA revenue officials

Strong dissatisfaction has surfaced against the functioning of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) revenue department, with serious allegations of biased and selective enforcement of property tax recovery. BJP leader N.R. Ramesh has written a detailed letter to the GBA Chief Commissioner, Special Commissioner, Revenue Commissioner, and commissioners of five city municipal corporations, accusing officials of unfair practices.

According to Ramesh, while property owners with dues running into several crores of rupees are being given concessions, auction notices are being issued to households with pending amounts of just ₹40,000 to ₹50,000. He alleged that middle-class, lower-middle-class, and economically weaker families are being deliberately targeted, while influential commercial establishments are escaping action.

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He questioned why no strong steps have been taken against large commercial properties that owe massive tax arrears. He specifically named Minister Mall on Sampige Road in Malleswaram, Bagmane Tech Park, Manyata Tech Park, Embassy Group-owned buildings, and M.S. Ramaiah Educational Institutions, alleging that despite records of huge pending taxes, authorities have remained silent. He also pointed out that big builders such as Brigade, Prestige, Sobha, Salarpuria Sattva, and Puravankara have not faced strict recovery action.

Ramesh further alleged that advance notices are being selectively given to influential defaulters, allowing them to approach courts and secure stay orders, while poor families are subjected to sudden auctions without any prior warning. He termed this practice as anti-democratic and unjust.

Recalling earlier controversies, he stated that similar discrimination was witnessed during the 2016-17 stormwater drain and lake buffer zone clearance drives, where only small houses were demolished while major constructions were spared. He also reminded authorities of the alleged encroachment case involving actor Darshan’s residence and the inaction against SS Hospital and several other buildings. He highlighted the demolition of over 350 poor households in Avani Shringeri Layout and Dodda Bommasandra, stating that citizens have not forgotten these incidents.

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Ramesh questioned whether officials have forgotten the founding purpose of the Bengaluru Municipal Corporation, established in 1876, and asked if governance has now become “one rule for the poor and another for the powerful.”

He urged authorities to first initiate auction proceedings against large defaulters running into crores, and only then move towards small taxpayers.

•    3,876 IT companies
•    103 BT companies
•    89 Tech Parks
•    447 malls & multiplexes
•    1,10,000 industrial buildings
•    857 star hotels
•    1,485 convention halls
•    3,155 super speciality hospitals
•    3,180 private educational institutions

Many of these buildings are accused of holding massive unpaid property tax dues. Ramesh also alleged that vital information regarding tax arrears is being suppressed at the GBA revenue department’s central office and demanded a thorough investigation. He stated that a review of files from erstwhile BBMP administrations would reveal shocking details.

Appealing in the interest of citizens, Ramesh urged the GBA leadership and municipal commissioners to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal enforcement of law, without fear or favour.

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