BANGALORE: Residents of Horamavu (Ward No 25) had to stand in queue for hours to avail the 5 per cent rebate on property tax for the year 2012-13 as there was no power in the BBMP office and all the tax related work was being done manually. Thanks to BESCOM which had disconnected power supply for non-payment of initial deposit by BBMP.The civic body, which had extended the deadline for paying property tax with 5 per cent rebate to May 31, is expecting to collect at least Rs 1,700 crore. Though citizens are paying tax honestly, Palike might not achieve its goal, at least in Assistant Revenue Office (ARO) at Horamavu as staffers are executing property tax work manually, which is taking more time.The building is maintained by a contractor. Sources said that it is the contractor’s mistake as he has not paid Rs 10,000 to BESCOM. However, now they have a ray of hope. Not because BESCOM will supply power, but the office will be shifted to a new building in a week, sources said. According to one of the tax payers, staffers are taking a minimum of 30 minutes to attend to each person. “Staffers are supposed to work till 7.30 pm to collect property tax. But they leave before 5.30 pm as they find it difficult to work late in the evening,” tax payer said. Another tax payer, who is a senior citizen, said that it is very difficult to stand in the queue to pay the tax. “There is no fan, making it very difficult in this hot weather,” he said.
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