Lucknow Municipal Corporation Takes Strict Action, Seals National Fish Genetic Resources Institute
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation sealed the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources on Monday. This central government institute faced action over long-pending house tax dues.
Decade-Old Dues Lead to Sealing
Municipal officials said the institute owes Rs 1.36 crore in house tax. These dues have remained unpaid for the last ten years.
Acting on municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar's directions, the Zone-4 team carried out the sealing. Zonal officer Shilpa Kumari led the operation.
Officials Cite Repeated Notices and Broken Promises
Shilpa Kumari explained the situation. "Last year, the institute paid Rs 1 lakh," she said. "They promised to clear the entire tax amount after receiving their budget. However, a full year passed with no further action."
Municipal officials issued several notices and communications to the institute. The dues remained unpaid, prompting this strict action.
No Leniency for Government or Private Defaulters
Municipal officials emphasized there would be no leniency in tax recovery. This policy applies whether the defaulter is a private entity or a government department.
Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar directed officials to prioritize revenue collection. He instructed them to ensure action against large defaulters strictly according to the rules.
Institute Officials Deny Knowledge
When contacted, officials of the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources denied any such information. They did not acknowledge the sealing or the outstanding dues.
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation's action highlights its renewed focus on revenue collection. Large defaulters, including government institutes, now face serious consequences for unpaid taxes.
