Surendra Soren
Ranchi
The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has decided to take direct control of property tax, water user charges and trade licence fee collection, setting the stage for a significant change in the city’s revenue administration.
The decision was taken at a crucial RMC Board meeting on Thursday, where 16 proposals were discussed. The move comes after the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) terminated the agreements of revenue collection agencies Shree Publication and Stationers, Ritika and Sparrow, which had been operating under extensions.
The sudden termination has left the RMC facing the immediate challenge of maintaining tax collection without an outsourced agency. With no replacement agency having been selected so far, the civic body is now preparing to deploy its own manpower and infrastructure to prevent any disruption in revenue collection.
RMC Mayor Roshni Khalkho said the corporation had previously handled revenue collection on its own and was capable of managing the system during the transition.
“We have collected taxes through the corporation earlier as well. At present, we have sufficient manpower to ensure that revenue collection does not stop. There is no question of allowing the system to collapse because of the termination of the agencies,” she said.
The Mayor said that once a fresh revenue collection agency is selected, the agreement would be executed directly by the RMC. The Urban Development Department and SUDA would have no role in the new contractual arrangement, she said.
The development has also brought into focus the larger question of control over municipal revenue collection between the State government’s agency and the elected urban local body. With the RMC now seeking greater control over revenue-related operations, Thursday’s Board decisions could mark a shift in the way the civic body manages its core financial functions.
The Board also discussed taking greater control over sanitation operations. The contract of the agency currently engaged for garbage collection is likely to be terminated soon, paving the way for another restructuring of civic services.
In another major decision, the RMC proposed developing its vacant land parcels under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Land at Khadgarha, Daily Market and the old Ranchi Road bus stand has been identified for potential large-scale development projects. The corporation will initiate the process of identifying suitable projects and private partners.
The Board also reviewed the tender process for smaller parking spaces. With no bidder showing interest in the earlier tender, members decided to reduce the tender amount by 10% to attract more contractors and vendors.
The meeting was attended by senior municipal officials and Board committee members. The decisions are likely to have a significant impact on RMC’s revenue generation, civic services and management of its valuable land assets.
