Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation has officially introduced the One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme 2025, designed to offer significant financial relief to property owners facing long-pending tax dues. The announcement was made on 1 December during a joint press conference addressed by Mayor Sita Sahu and Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena, with municipal officials and media in attendance. The civic body hopes that this initiative will simplify tax payments and reduce the financial pressure experienced by citizens.
Under the scheme, taxpayers will receive complete exemption from interest and penalties if they pay only the principal outstanding property tax amount. The scheme applies to all pending dues up to the financial year 2025–26, extending to residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and government-owned properties. Valid until 31 March 2026, the scheme gives citizens a limited but valuable window to clear their dues without extra burden.
Mayor Sita Sahu described the initiative as a much-needed step for residents of Patna, noting that the additional load of accumulated penalties and interest had prevented many taxpayers from clearing their accounts for years. She encouraged citizens to make the best use of this opportunity and support the development of the city by paying their taxes on time. A city-wide awareness campaign has also been launched to ensure no citizen misses the benefits of the scheme.
Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena highlighted that the initiative has been developed to be easy, transparent and accessible. Taxpayers can calculate and pay their dues through the municipal online portal, zonal offices, the main corporation office, WhatsApp chatbot, UPI or other supported payment systems. Even taxpayers whose cases are ongoing in courts or tribunals may withdraw their claims and settle their dues through this scheme.
To facilitate citizens, the Patna Municipal Corporation has set up help desks, ward-level support centres and a technical assistance team. Public awareness is also being promoted through jingles and digital message boards installed at 69 locations under Patna Smart City. The civic body has emphasised that no taxpayer should face confusion or difficulty in accessing the scheme.
Officials believe the OTS initiative will improve municipal revenue collection while rebuilding public confidence in civic services. The scheme is available both to long-pending taxpayers and new property owners who have not yet undergone tax assessment under the municipal system, making it one of the most inclusive tax relief efforts in recent years.
