The total amount due from some of these government offices, as also Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), runs into Rs 8 crore.

When contacted, the tax department said there were 78 central government offices and 269 state government offices in the city. But only some were on the defaulter list. The dues of some of the central government offices together are approximately Rs 1.5 crore, while those of the state government office properties work out to Rs 4.4 crore.

The city's public transport system, the PMPML, also figures on the list of PMC property tax defaulters. The properties owned by PMPML and rented out for commercial purposes have to pay a total of Rs 2 crore in arrears. “PMPML has about 150 properties in the city including depots. The current demand of property tax from these properties is Rs 3 crore, while the arrears are pegged at Rs 41 lakh. Besides, there are several properties that PMPML has given on rent for commercial purposes, like the stock exchange building above its Deccan bus stop. They have to pay arrears to the tune of Rs 2 crore, while the amount due for the current fiscal is Rs 91 lakh,” said Vilas Kanade, the tax collector and assessor of PMC.

He said the PMPML had not been issued any notice as yet. Joint managing director of PMPML Aziz Karche said, “As far as PMPML's commercial properties are concerned, the occupants or those who have rented the properties are supposed to pay property tax.”