Patna: Just 366 property owners in the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) area have claimed the 5% property tax rebate available for installing rainwater harvesting systems, despite the incentive being provided under Bihar’s municipal laws.
According to the civic body, these property owners received tax rebates worth more than Rs 5.88 lakh over the past four months after installing approved rainwater harvesting systems in their residential, commercial and other properties.
Which Areas Claimed The Most Rebates?
The number of beneficiaries varied significantly across the six municipal zones.
According to PMC data:
| Zone | Property Tax Payers | Beneficiaries Of 5% Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Patliputra | About 37,000 | 120 |
| Patna City | About 8,000 | 109 |
| Nutan Rajdhani | About 25,000 | 51 |
| Kankarbagh | About 23,000 | 38 |
| Azimabad | About 17,000 | 26 |
| Bankipur | About 19,000 | 22 |
Patliputra Zone recorded the highest number of beneficiaries, followed by Patna City.
What Does The Law Say?
The rebate is provided under Section 158A of the Bihar Municipal (Amendment) Act, 2013, which allows a concession of up to 5% on property tax for buildings that adopt government-approved sustainable technologies, including rainwater harvesting.
The provision aims to encourage:
- Rainwater conservation
- Groundwater recharge
- Sustainable urban water management
In addition, Rule 11(3) of the Bihar Municipal Property Tax (Assessment, Collection and Recovery) Rules, 2013 provides that buildings equipped with rainwater harvesting systems are eligible for a 5% rebate on total property tax.
How Can Property Owners Claim The Rebate?
To avail of the concession, property owners must install a rainwater harvesting system that complies with the prescribed standards.
While assessing or paying property tax, owners are required to submit the relevant information and supporting documents. Eligible properties are then granted the rebate in accordance with the applicable rules.
What Does PMC Check Before Granting The Rebate?
Before approving the concession, the Patna Municipal Corporation carries out a physical inspection to verify that:
- A rainwater harvesting system has been installed.
- The system is operational.
- Rainwater from the roof is being channelled into the harvesting system.
- Essential components such as the recharge pit, storage pit and filter chamber are present.
- The applicant satisfies ownership requirements where applicable.
Corporation Encourages Wider Adoption
The Patna Municipal Corporation has appealed to residents, apartment owners and commercial property owners to install rainwater harvesting systems.
According to the civic body, wider adoption will not only help conserve water and improve groundwater recharge but also enable more property owners to benefit from the 5% property tax rebate available under the existing provisions.
