Amidst growing frustration and anger, the Belagavi City Corporation’s property tax payment system( https://belagavicitycorp.org) has come under intense scrutiny as a multitude of glitches and errors plague the online platform, leaving many honest taxpayers shortchanged and harassed.
After 15 days of apparent dormancy, the Belagavi City Corporation website suddenly sprung to life on Monday, with a tweet from the official handle signaling its reactivation. However, what was supposed to be a seamless process turned into a nightmare for numerous taxpayers.
Upon logging in to settle their dues, residents were shocked to discover discrepancies in their property tax bills. Key charges such as the Rs. 350 Motor Cess and the SWM (Solid Waste Management) fee of Rs. 960 were glaringly absent from the amounts due. Disturbingly, many taxpayers, oblivious to the inaccuracies, proceeded to make payments based on the erroneous figures displayed on the portal.
In response to mounting complaints, the revenue department attributed the discrepancies to a “glitch” in the system. They declared that all taxpayers who had already made payments would need to settle the outstanding amounts for the omitted charges and any other fees overlooked due to oversight. Failure to comply would result in the denial of vital documents, such as the ‘Utara’.
The debacle has ignited widespread outrage, with citizens lambasting both the company responsible for the website and the revenue department of the Belagavi City Corporation for their apparent negligence. Many are questioning why honest taxpayers are continuously subjected to such harassment, while the authorities responsible for maintaining essential systems seemingly evade accountability.
“This is a glaring example of the dysfunctional state of IT-enabled systems in our country,” remarked a disgruntled taxpayer. “The burden always falls on the shoulders of the honest taxpayer. It’s absurd that despite our best efforts to fulfill our obligations, we are the ones penalized for the incompetence of others.”
The delay in rectifying the issues has further compounded the frustration, with the website still malfunctioning even 17 days into April. Meanwhile, concerns loom over whether the promised 5% rebate for timely payments will be extended given the prevailing circumstances.
Comparisons with other cities only exacerbate the situation, as taxpayers point out that property tax payment systems in other municipalities have been operational since April 1. The apparent disparity has left many questioning why Belagavi is lagging behind and whether the government prioritizes revenue collection over the welfare of its citizens.
“It’s a classic case of double standards,” asserted another taxpayer. “The government is quick to pounce on us for non-payment, yet when we willingly step forward to fulfill our obligations, we’re met with such treatment. It’s unjust and unacceptable.”
As frustrations mount and trust in the system dwindles, residents are left grappling with uncertainty and disillusionment, calling for urgent action to rectify the situation and restore faith in the governance system.
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