The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has issued a strict directive to the city's top 500 property tax defaulters, demanding that they clear outstanding dues within ten days. The civic body has warned of legal action under the Jharkhand Municipal Act if payments are not made. Officials described the announcement as a last opportunity for chronic offenders, adding that repeated defaults weaken civic services and slow urban development. The RMC highlighted that property tax remains its primary source of revenue and warned that further negligence would invite stringent recovery measures.
The Ranchi Municipal Corporation has intensified its drive to improve tax compliance by releasing a list of the city's top 500 property tax defaulters. The civic body has directed those on the list to clear their dues within ten days of publication through its official portal. According to officials, failure to comply within the stipulated time frame will attract legal consequences, including proceedings under Section 184 of the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011. This may involve attachment of properties, legal notices, or other recovery measures deemed necessary by the authorities.
Civic officials explained that the list had been made public to ensure transparency and to make residents aware of the scale of tax defaults. They added that this was not the first attempt to address non-payment, as several reminders had previously been issued. However, many high-value defaulters continued to evade payments, compelling the administration to adopt a firmer approach.
The RMC emphasised that property tax serves as a critical revenue stream used to fund services such as road maintenance, waste management, water supply, and infrastructure development. Withholding such payments, officials said, directly hampers the civic body's ability to carry out these essential tasks. They also stressed that persistent evasion by a small section of property owners placed an unfair burden on compliant taxpayers.
Authorities further underlined that the current notice should be considered a final warning. The administration reiterated that any property owner failing to act within the deadline would face legal recovery proceedings, which could include penalties and compulsory collection. This decisive stance, the officials stated, was aimed at protecting the financial health of the city and ensuring accountability among taxpayers.
By combining public disclosure with the threat of legal action, the administration has signalled that habitual non-payment will not be tolerated. The move is expected to compel defaulters to take responsibility, while also reassuring compliant citizens that the system is being enforced fairly. Ultimately, the measure is intended to strengthen municipal finances, ensuring that vital services and city development are not jeopardised by continued tax evasion.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023