Bengaluru's High-Tech Tax Crackdown Nets Rs 318 Crore in Evasion
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has made a significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against property tax evasion, uncovering a staggering Rs 318 crore in unpaid taxes during the second phase of its innovative GPS-based verification initiative. This comprehensive house-to-house drive meticulously examined approximately 13,600 properties across the city, leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Total Recovery Reaches Rs 688 Crore Across Two Phases
With the latest findings, the total amount recovered through both rounds of this intensive verification campaign has now soared to an impressive Rs 688 crore. This substantial sum has been identified across a total of 23,600 properties that have undergone scrutiny since the program's inception. The systematic approach has proven remarkably effective in identifying discrepancies between reported and actual property usage.
Advanced Technology Drives Verification Accuracy
The verification drive represents a sophisticated collaboration between GBA's dedicated IT wing and the National Informatics Centre, combining multiple technological approaches for maximum effectiveness. Field teams employed a multi-layered verification system that included:
- On-ground GPS mapping for precise location tracking
- Drone imagery for aerial property assessment
- Digitised built-up area data for accurate measurements
Officials explained that teams visited each property equipped with mobile applications containing existing tax records. During these visits, they captured specific GPS coordinates, documented property usage categories—whether residential, commercial, or mixed-use—and verified critical details including the number of floors and actual built-up area measurements.
Daily Inspection Rate Reaches 10,000 Properties
Munish Moudgil, Special Commissioner (Revenue) for GBA, emphasized how this technology-driven system has revolutionized property tax administration in Bengaluru. "The integration of GPS technology, drone surveillance, and digital data has created an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability in our tax collection processes," Moudgil stated. He further revealed that GPS-equipped teams are currently inspecting nearly 10,000 properties daily, demonstrating the scalability and efficiency of this innovative approach.
The success of this verification drive highlights how technological innovation can significantly enhance municipal governance and revenue collection. By combining traditional verification methods with modern GPS tracking and aerial surveillance, Bengaluru has established a model for urban tax administration that other cities might well consider emulating. The substantial recovery of previously evaded taxes will contribute to improved civic infrastructure and services for Bengaluru's residents.
