MCD issues 1,000 NOCs, expects to issue at least 3,000
PNS | DEHRADUN
As the deadline for filing nominations for civic bodies elections approaches, many prospective candidates flocked the tax section of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) on Thursday to clear years of pending property tax to obtain NOCs, a mandatory requirement for filing nominations. The tax section has received about 1,500 applications so far for NOCs for clearance of property tax by people expected to file for nominations for the elections. The corporation has issued about 1,000 NOCs and is expected to issue at least 3,000 NOCs before the last date of the filing of the nomination, as per the municipal tax superintendent Dharmesh Panuly.
The tax section was packed with individuals, many of them former or aspiring councillors, lining up to clear property tax dues to secure their NOCs to ensure their eligibility for the upcoming elections. The municipal tax superintendents and other staff of the tax section could be seen handling constant requests and complaints from individuals, particularly outgoing councillors and ex-councillors, seeking rebates on their long-pending property tax dues. Many of these individuals have not cleared their taxes for over a decade and are now facing the full brunt of the system’s automated calculations, which include penalties and interest.
The MCD officials made it clear to them that the online system leaves no room for manual intervention. “The system automatically calculates the tax along with all pending dues and penalties. There is no scope for any rebate or discount,” explained an official to an outgoing female councillor. Despite repeated clarifications, some hopeful candidates were observed making phone calls to influential connections in a bid to secure concessions. However, the tax superintendents stood their ground, maintaining a polite but firm stance against such requests. They reiterated that the rules and processes are strictly online and uniformly applicable to all. While a few individuals attempted to bypass the system using their influence, the officials remained consistent in declining any deviation from the established procedure. The tax superintendents Painuly and Poonam Rawat were also seen working in counters in the tax submission room rather than in their offices to ensure smoother and faster work. As the countdown to the elections continues, the tax section of the MCD is expected to remain a hive of activity, with more candidates joining the fray to settle their dues and secure their NOCs before the filing deadline. The corporation has already installed barriers using metal grills and wooden logs in the premises to ensure the individuals coming for NOCs can stay in queue to ensure smooth operation.
