Makarpura bus depot sealed over pending property tax dues

Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Monday sealed the Makarpura bus depot over pending property tax dues of Rs 1.09 crore.The depot, developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, was sealed as part of the civic body's ongoing drive to recover pending taxes before the end of the financial year on March 31.Assistant Municipal Commissioner (revenue) Suresh Tuver said that most parts of the depot were sealed initially, except the enquiry counter. However, passenger amenities were reopened after the developer deposited cheques worth Rs 24 lakh.Tuver said the developer could avail the benefit of the civic body's interest waiver scheme if Rs 85 lakh — the principal tax amount — was paid in one instalment. The Rs 1.09 crore demand notice issued by VMC includes interest."Alternatively, the developer can pay the dues in instalments along with the applicable interest," he added.Officials of the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) also took up the issue with the developer. "GSRTC informed us that they too had issued a notice to the developer over pending dues," Tuver said.Authorities said the depot had defaulted on property tax payments in the past as well, following which VMC had issued notices and taken measures such as sealing portions of the property to recover the dues.