Pune civic body reduces penalty on unauthorised properties

The final stamp has been given on providing relief to owners of small illegal homes in the city. The general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved the proposal in this regard. The PMC has decided to reduce the penalty charged on these properties. Houses, which are smaller than 1000 sq ft will have to pay only 1.5 times tax as penalty as compared to three times tax as earlier proposed. The proposal was passed after the debate and voting. A group of corporators from opposition parties claimed that the move to reduce penalty will encourage illegal constructions in the city. It will also reduce the deterrence value of the PMC for those who have already built unauthorized homes. The elected members, who supported the move argued that many property owners are not coming forward to register their properties because they feel that the tax is very high. So many properties are out of the tax ambit. The move to give discount in penalty will encourage people to come forward and register their properties. As per the PMC officials, the properties are termed as illegal for a number of reasons. If the building is used without the Occupancy Certificate (OC) then it is termed as illegal. Some buildings are constructed not taking any permission.