India, Feb. 27 -- The first post-election general body meeting of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on Thursday, chaired by Mayor Sujata Patil, revealed major differences between elected corporators and administrative officers over tax concessions for property owners, including owners of unauthorised and 'need-based' structures in gaothan areas.

NMMC Commissioner Kailas Shinde reported that while the civic body faces a steep tax recovery target of Rs.1,000-1,200 crore, nearly half the property owners - 172,000 out of 358,000 - are chronic tax defaulters. A major chunk of defaulters are owners of unauthorised and 'need-based' constructions in villages and gaothan areas, Shinde said, and warned officers of strict action if tax r...