Ulhasnagar Property Tax Scandal: UMC Officials Under Investigation for Irregularities

The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) has initiated an investigation into allegations of corruption in its property tax department. BJP leader Rajesh Vadhrya has accused officials of granting an unauthorized 100% penalty waiver under the Abhay Yojana scheme, which permits only a 50% waiver. According to Vadhrya, this waiver benefited businessman Mukesh Karia, who owns a large commercial property in Ulhasnagar 3, leased to a private bank. He claims that the tax department staff manipulated the property tax software to facilitate this waiver, leading to significant financial irregularities.

Karia had reportedly not paid his property tax for several years, which resulted in a penalty of approximately ₹83 lakh on an outstanding tax amount of ₹49 lakh. This brought his total dues to about ₹1.33 crore. Under the final phase of the Abhay Yojana scheme, which ended on March 18 a, taxpayers could avail of a 50% penalty waiver if they made payments within the stipulated deadline. However, Vadhrya alleges that UMC officials tampered with the system later that night at 10 pm, bypassing the official deadline and processing a full penalty waiver. This effectively cleared Karia’s penalty amount, reducing his total liability to just the original tax amount.

The allegations have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the property tax system in Ulhasnagar. Vadhrya has demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those involved in the alleged malpractice. He has also raised concerns about whether similar unauthorized waivers have been granted to other individuals, calling for a review of recent transactions processed under the Abhay Yojana scheme. The matter has drawn attention from local residents and civic activists, who are now questioning the accountability mechanisms within the UMC.

Following these allegations, the UMC Commissioner has ordered an inquiry into the matter. An internal committee has been set up to examine the claims and verify whether the waiver was processed in violation of the scheme’s guidelines. Chief Public Relations Officer Ajay Sable has confirmed that the committee’s findings will determine the next course of action.