Panvel Urges Property Owners To Use 75 Percent Penalty Waiver Under Abhay Yojana

The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified its appeal to residents to make use of its ongoing tax relief scheme, which offers a 75 per cent waiver on penalty charges for overdue property taxes. With the initiative set to close on 15 November, civic officials have urged property owners to clear pending dues within the limited window, calling it a crucial opportunity to support both household finances and urban service delivery.

Municipal authorities reported strong public response to the scheme since its rollout, with revenue collections reaching more than ₹594 crore so far. According to officials, the combination of penalty waivers and streamlined payment processes has encouraged many households to regularise long-pending dues. They added that reliable property tax collection is essential for maintaining urban services, especially in fast-growing municipal areas like Panvel, where demand for infrastructure continues to expand. A senior civic official said the waiver aims to “reduce financial stress on residents while improving the city’s fiscal health,” noting that the administration has issued repeated reminders in the lead-up to the deadline. Officials emphasised that property taxes remain a major source of funding for civic amenities, including water supply, waste management, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

To improve ease of payments, the corporation has been actively promoting digital platforms, including the PMC website and two dedicated mobile applications. Property owners paying online are eligible for a 2 per cent immediate discount, a move aimed at reducing administrative costs and encouraging wider adoption of cashless transactions. Civic administrators say digital payments also improve transparency and reduce delays, helping build trust between residents and municipal authorities. In a bid to link taxation with sustainability objectives, the PMC has also announced rebates for eco-friendly upgrades to buildings. Properties equipped with solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, or protective shade structures qualify for a 2 per cent concession, while housing societies practicing scientific waste management receive an additional 2 per cent rebate. Urban experts view such incentives as small but meaningful steps towards encouraging climate-responsive behaviour at the household and community level.

Further expanding its digital governance tools, the corporation recently launched ‘Tax Mitra’, an automated chatbot designed to help residents access tax information with greater convenience. The platform provides real-time details on outstanding payments, billing history, and applicable rebates, and also guides users through online payment options. A senior official described the chatbot as part of a broader effort to “deliver citizen services that are faster, more accessible, and more transparent.” With the deadline approaching, officials have reiterated the importance of participating in the waiver programme, saying it would not only ease financial burdens on property owners but also strengthen municipal capacity to deliver equitable, climate-resilient urban services in the years ahead.

Panvel Urges Property Owners To Use 75 Percent Penalty Waiver Under Abhay Yojana