West Bengal govt to engage transgender persons for tax recovery

Several municipal corporations in West Bengal are facing financial pressure as only a handful of people have paid their housing and property taxes over the past few years. State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul told ET that the state government is working on a rehabilitation policy for transgender persons who beg on the streets.

"The state government will train these transgenders and utilise their services in traffic management and for house tax and property tax recovery. We will pay an honorarium for the same. This will help them lead a respectful life and contribute to society," Paul told ET.

According to government estimates, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has dues of around ₹6,850 cr from nearly 4 lakh defaulters on housing and property tax payments. Around half the amount is principal, while the remainder comprises interest and penalties charged for non-payment.


The BJP government has started a special scheme under which it is waiving the entire principal and 90% of the penalty amount to encourage house owners to pay their taxes.