In a significant move to enhance its financial resources, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has initiated a comprehensive, ward-by-ward survey to map all properties within its jurisdiction. This exercise aims to establish an accurate count of taxable properties and, consequently, improve the civic body's revenue collection from property taxes.
Spot Inspections and Preparatory Meetings Underway
Revenue officials from the MCC have conducted several preparatory meetings to streamline the process of conducting on-the-spot inspections as a core part of this survey. The first phase of this crucial drive was formally launched by MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik in the Attavar ward on Friday, marking the beginning of the ground-level data collection.
According to Akshatha K, the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue, In-charge), the city corporation currently has 2,22,256 properties officially recorded across its 60 wards. However, the administration seeks a complete and verified picture. "We want our own teams headed by revenue inspectors to conduct the survey," she stated, emphasizing the need for first-hand verification to update the existing database.
Three Wards Selected for Initial Pilot Phase
The survey will be rolled out in a phased manner. In the initial pilot phase, a sample survey will be carried out in three selected wards:
- Hampankatta
- Attavar
- Padavu
Once the methodology is refined and the process is completed in these three wards, the MCC plans to extend the comprehensive survey to all remaining wards across the city. This step-by-step approach is designed to iron out any operational challenges before a city-wide implementation.
Clarity on Pending Properties and Revenue Targets
The officer highlighted the direct financial impetus behind the survey. The MCC has already collected Rs 103.5 crore against the current fiscal year's target of Rs 112 crore. A major challenge identified is the status of approximately 90,000 properties where tax details or payments are still pending. The new survey is expected to bring much-needed clarity on these holdings, identifying unassessed properties, changes in building use, or structural modifications that affect tax calculation.
By physically verifying each property, the corporation aims to eliminate discrepancies, bring more properties into the tax net, and ensure that the revenue collection system is robust, transparent, and based on accurate, up-to-date information. This initiative is a key part of the MCC's strategy to strengthen its financial base for better civic amenities and infrastructure development in Mangaluru.
