The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has started using drums to publicly shame property tax defaulters. The measure comes as part of a broader strategy to combat chronic non-payment of taxes and improve the city’s revenue collection.
Despite repeated notices, threats of disconnection of water and sewer services, and other efforts, many property owners have continued to neglect their tax obligations. The AMC’s new tactic involves teams playing drums outside the homes of defaulters to drum up public pressure and encourage compliance. This unusual form of public shaming is meant to push homeowners to clear their dues by adding a social element to the issue. The decision follows the AMC’s struggle with low tax recovery rates. For the financial year 2023-24, the city collected Rs 1,679.98 crore in property taxes, but by December 2023, this amount had plummeted to just Rs 1,184.92 crore in the 2024-25 fiscal year. This represents a significant shortfall in tax revenue, which is vital for funding municipal services and infrastructure.
In an effort to close the gap, the AMC has also proposed more drastic measures, such as the auctioning of properties owned by commercial tax defaulters. The city’s overall tax income in 2024-25 stood at Rs 1,524.20 crore, which is only 70.8% of the previous year’s Rs 2,152.82 crore. The recovery rates from property taxes and other sources have also fallen to 58.19%, prompting the need for stronger enforcement. In addition to public shaming and property auctions, other measures under consideration include sealing properties and further disconnections of water and sewer services. These steps reflect the AMC’s determination to improve property tax compliance and safeguard the city’s financial health. While the drum-playing tactic is seen as a bold and unconventional move, it highlights the pressing challenges faced by urban authorities in balancing revenue generation with maintaining public services.
