In a major revenue moppi-ng exercise, a joint team of the city corporation’s reve-nue department and Coch-in Port Trust will on Wedn-esday begin an inspection and assessment drive of buildings on Willingdon Island that have escaped its tax net so far. Its hoped the drive will help the corporation add not less than Rs 20 crore to its kitty.
With most buildings on Willingdon Island either rented out, leased or licens-ed by the Port Trust, they have not been paying building tax, having earned exe-mption under an agreement it had entered into with the trust in the past .
But the civic authority has now decided to assess the buildings acting on the instructions of the accoun-tant general’s office, which recently made a detailed audit inquiry, pointing out several lapses in its tax collection from Willingdon Isl-and.
The corporation’s earlier attempts to conduct an ass-essment drive had failed as the Port Trust had refused to cooperate, according to sources.
The special inspe-ction squad will have 3 revenue inspectors from Matt-ancherry, Palluruthy and Fort Kochi zonal offices be-sides officials of Port Trust.