Corporation’s property tax reassessment drive draws flak for lack of transparency

The Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) property tax reassessment drive has drawn heavy backlash over sharp increases and a lack of prior consultation and transparency.A GCC official said the revised tax was based on self-declared property area. The first revision was carried out in 2018, followed by a major one in 2022, but the collection was subsequently paused. The revised rate should have been collected 2022 onwards, and is now being implemented, he said.T.K. Shanmugam, chairman of the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Associations (FNCRWA), said a resident, who had been paying a property tax of ₹295, was demanded ₹3,255 following the reassessment, without receiving any explanation. Mr. Shanmugam said the residents were not given details such as the rate per square foot or