Kollam: There remains lack of clarity on how to implement the collection of the one-time building tax recently introduced by the revenue department. Although a bill was passed requiring the tax to be calculated based on the details in the completion plan approved by the local government engineer, no formal orders have been issued on the collection process. Meanwhile, village officers have been assigned collection targets by the taluk and collectorate.
Currently, collection is being conducted based on verbal instructions provided at various locations. The new system, which depends on the availability of completion plans on the local department's 'Sanketham' portal, is not yet fully in place. Not all local bodies upload completion plans directly to the portal, especially those received offline.
For the new system to work effectively, it is essential that all completion plans be uploaded. Under the previous system, local bodies required payment of the one-time tax from individuals seeking a completion certificate. The new system proposes issuing a completion certificate first.
In some areas, village staff are visiting local bodies to review completion plans, recording the area, and then sending notices to building owners for the one-time tax and luxury tax for larger properties. In some regions, the old method of measurement by village officers is still being used. Concerns have been raised that plans prepared and signed by village officers may not be legally valid, as the Build.