Pune Beat

Property tax yields Rs 14 lakh
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) recovered Rs 14.31 lakh as property tax arrears from a total of 42 defaulters including the Directorate of Social Welfare and its own zonal office at Bhawani Peth. The recovery was part of the massive drive launched by Municipal Commissioner Arun Bhatia from those who had defaulted on the payment of property tax till March 31, 1999. Attachment notices have been served to owners of five properties while a total of Rs 4.25 lakh was recovered as property tax arrears from the 38 villages which were merged within the PMC limits, a statement issued today stated. Among the other defaulters included Sathe Biscuit and Chocolate Company at Dhanori, Chaitanya Traders at Erandwane, Vimlabai Lunkad and others. Meanwhile, the anti-encroachment squad of the PMC pulled down 3,600 sq ft of an unauthorised construction at Survey number 273 – Baner.

NDA ball
The National Defence Academy (NDA) ball which is conducted at the end of each term to bid farewell to passing out course will be held at the Cadets Mess on May 29 from 7.30 p.m. onwards. Lady guests will be picked up by the buses plying on the following routes: Route no. 1 – Rahul theatre – 2.45 p.m., Crossword 3.15 p.m., Wadia College 3.35 p.m., RSI 4 p.m. and Poona Club 4.25 p.m. Route No. 2 – Salunke Vihar, Gurdwara Road 3 p.m., Hollywood 3.45 p.m., Wonderland 4.15 p.m. and Pune University 5 p.m. Route No. 3 – Symbiosis 2.45 p.m., BMCC 3.15 p.m. and Fergusson College 3.30 p.m. Route No. 4 – Bharati Vidyapeeth 3 p.m., Deccan 4 p.m., Parihar Chowk 4.45 p.m. and Abhiman Shree Colony 5.15 p.m.

Taxman charged
The Pune Municipal Corporation has lodged an FIR at Deccan Gymkhana police station levelling misappropriation charges against suspended in-charge of its tax charging and collection department, H J Chavan, late last night. The FIR lodged by Assistant Municipal Commissioner (Buildings and Estate) Arun Patil alleged that Chavan caused loss of Rs 6,65,406 to the civic body by amending the dates on which the owners of a vacant plot at Sangamwadi on Boat Club Road were to pay the tax. Besides, Chavan was responsible for serious irregularities committed in seven other cases of charging and collecting taxes.