Deputy Municipal Commissioner (General) I B Peerzada told Express Newsline that a team comprising 60 people, including top officers, conducted the drives.

At a meeting held recently, Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria had instructed the officers to attach immovable property of defaulters, auction their movable property and freeze bank accounts if they fail to pay the dues. A target to recover Rs 40 crore by March 1999 was set.

Peerzada said on Monday that the amount, including fine, was recovered from more than 30 people, majority of them owning commercial establishments. The administration has prepared a list of 189 defaulters in ward number 10 (J) Subhanpura.

Peerzada said warrants were issued to attach immovable property and if the defaulters failed to pay the dues they would face action. The VMC has appealed citizens to pay the taxes to avoid paying fine of 18 per cent and 25 per cent education tax.

Among the officers who conducted the drive also included Peerzada, assistant municipal commissioner. R P Yagnik, Ramesh Patel, Madhusadan Rohit, Manmohan Sutaria, A F Sayed and ward officers.