Chandigarh, June 2 -- The municipal corporation (MC) collected Rs.60.9 crore in property tax during the rebate period that ended on May 31, registering a marginal increase of Rs.1 crore over the Rs.59.9 crore collected during the corresponding period last year. The collection comprises Rs.23.8 crore from residential properties and Rs.37.2 crore from commercial properties. According to official figures, 74,142 property owners - residential and commercial - from across the city paid their property tax during the two-month rebate window from April 1 to May 31, compared to 67,491 taxpayers who availed the scheme last year. The civic body had offered a 20% rebate on residential properties and 10% on commercial, provided taxpayers cleared their dues within the stipulated assessment period. MC commissioner Amit Kumar said the response shows improved tax compliance among residents and commercial establishments. Property tax is one of the major sources of revenue for the MC. During the 2023-24 financial year, the MC had collected Rs.40.2 crore during the rebate period, while the corresponding collection stood at Rs.38.5 crore in 2024-25. Chandigarh has roughly 1.2 lakh registered property tax owners. This figure includes various categories, including government as well as private individuals and organisations exempted from paying property tax. Following the expiry of the rebate window, property owners who have not paid their dues will be required to pay additional charges. According to MC norms, a penalty of 25% along with 12% annual interest will be levied on outstanding property tax amounts....