House photo will not be required for property tax payment: Mohali mayor

Mohali: In a significant relief for residents, mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu has indicated that the Mohali municipal corporation (MC) will soon roll back the requirement of submitting front and back photographs of houses while depositing property tax, following widespread concerns raised by councillors. The issue came to the fore during a recent MC House meeting, where councillors highlighted that many residents were reluctant to pay property tax due to the photo submission clause. According to them, several homeowners have carried out constructions in their backyards and are awaiting approval under the need-based changes policy. They fear that submitting photographs could invite violation notices from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada).Acknowledging the concern, the mayor said the condition has inadvertently led to a decline in property tax collection. "We have sensed the problem, and I will soon issue directions to roll back the practice of asking for photographs of houses. We have also learnt that people, out of fear, are not depositing property tax, which is causing significant revenue loss to the MC," Sidhu said. Official records reveal that the MC had set a target of Rs 55 crore for property tax collection in the 2025–26 financial year. However, it has so far collected Rs 46.88 crore, falling short by Rs 8.12 crore—approximately a 15 per cent deficit.Councillor and former deputy mayor Manjit Singh Sethi strongly raised the issue during the meeting, stressing the need for accountability. "Property tax is one of the primary sources of income for the MC. A deficit of around 15 per cent is a serious concern and must be thoroughly examined," he said, urging the administration to fix responsibility on officials for the shortfall.The MC is now expected to take corrective measures to improve tax compliance and address residents' concerns. MC house clears proposal to boost sanitation staff, regularise workersWith the expansion of municipal limits, the Municipal Corporation (MC) House has approved a series of proposals aimed at strengthening civic services, including a major increase in sanitation manpower and regularisation of long-serving workers.During the House meeting, councillors passed an agenda to augment staff in newly included areas, proposing the recruitment of around 1,000 sanitation workers, 50 sewer men, and 50 servants, along with additional supporting staff. The move is aimed at ensuring efficient waste management and sewer maintenance as the city's jurisdiction grows.A key decision taken was to regularise sanitation workers and sewer men who have been working on DC rates for more than three years. Councillors stressed that these workers have been serving the civic body for years and deserve job security and benefits.Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu said, "We also need to appoint senior-ranked officers as well to monitor the work of sanitation workers, sewer men, and servants, along with additional supporting staff. Need to recruit SHOs, JEs, and even SE has also arisen."The House also flagged concerns regarding employee welfare, noting that workers employed since 2014 were receiving EPF and ESI benefits until 2023, but these have since been discontinued. It was recommended that these benefits be restored with immediate effect.In another decision, the MC resolved to reclaim taxi stands from allottees who have passed away and reallocate them through a fresh process to ensure proper utilisation of public assets.To improve revenue collection, councillors proposed writing to the govt to expand the property tax instalment scheme, making it easier for residents to pay dues in a phased manner.Additionally, in view of the expanding municipal limits, the House suggested increasing the number of wards from the existing structure to between 50 and 80 wards to ensure better representation and governance.Councillors said these measures are necessary to align infrastructure and workforce capacity with the city's rapid growth and to improve overall service delivery.