In a bid to enhance civic revenue collections, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering sending monthly text message reminders to residents and business owners for pending holding tax and trade licence fees.
If approved, the initiative will deliver SMS reminders at the start of every month, similar to the alerts received for electricity or mobile bills. The idea, currently under review, was proposed by the Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance, and Accounts during a recent council meeting.
“The motive is to improve the revenue collections of the civic body,” said a senior BMC official.
Mayor Sulochana Das called the proposal an “innovative idea we are considering implementing.”
She emphasized its potential to improve compliance and ensure that citizens are better informed.
Strong Revenue Goals
-
Holding Tax Collected (2023–24): ₹94 crore
-
Holding Tax Collected (2024–25): ₹101 crore
-
Target for 2025–26: ₹120 crore
To incentivize timely digital payments, the BMC had also earlier issued a notice offering a 5% discount on holding tax payments made via Bhubaneswar.me.
“This year, we are aiming for even better collections. Innovative approaches are the need of the hour,” said committee chairperson Rajkishor Das.
