Tax and revenue are the backbone of any organization. In their absence, the financial strength of the institution and the pace of developmental work are adversely affected.
In this context, as per the recommendations of the Central and State Finance Commissions and the Municipal Corporation Act of 1959, it is essential for local governments to develop their own sources of revenue to move toward economic self-reliance. Only then can local governments truly achieve the goal of self-governance.
To achieve this, the Municipal Corporation has organized a dedicated Tax Section. The Tax Section of Rishikesh Municipal Corporation primarily handles the following:
- Assessment and collection of Property Tax
- Mutation/Transfer of immovable property purchased or sold by citizens
- Collection of rent from Municipal Corporation-owned shops/land/buildings
- Collection of vehicle parking fees
- Issuance of permissions for hoardings/advertisements
- Issuance of various Trade Licenses for businesses operating within the city
- Regulation and livelihood security for urban street vendors
- Providing paid or free services to citizens through various innovative methods
To manage these responsibilities efficiently, staff such as Tax Collectors, Data Entry Operators, Tax Assessment Clerks, Tax and Revenue Inspectors, and Superintendents have been deployed in the Tax Section.
Currently, the Trade License service has been made completely online. Any business operator — such as hotel owners, petrol pump operators, hospital administrators, etc. — can apply online through the Corporation’s website and obtain their license from the comfort of their home.
In addition, efforts are ongoing to enable online payment of Property Tax. Out of 12,000 property account holders, data of 5,000 has already been digitized and is in the process of being made available online. Work on the remaining accounts is in progress. This will enable citizens to access Municipal services from home, while all records remain digitally secured and accessible.
Looking ahead, services like online self-assessment of property tax, mutation processing, and assessment record issuance are being rapidly developed. These services will soon be made available online for the convenience of the public.