Tamil Nadu government urged to review drone-based property tax reassessments
The Coimbatore Consumer Cause has requested the Tamil Nadu government to review drone-based property tax assessments, citing concerns over unfair tax burdens on middle-class homeowners. They argue that temporary structures are being incorrectly classified as permanent, leading to inflated tax bills.
Why it matters
The issue reflects the challenges of implementing automated surveillance technology in municipal governance and the potential for administrative overreach.
The Coimbatore Consumer Cause (CCC) has urged the Tamil Nadu government to review drone-based property tax reassessments, alleging that the exercise could impose disproportionate tax burdens on middle-class and economically weaker property owners.
In a representation to the Chief Minister, CCC secretary K. Kathirmathiyon said the grievances followed the 2022 property tax revision, the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, and subsequent drone surveys. He said temporary structures such as thatched sheds, pandals, open car-parking shades and sunshades were being treated in some cases as permanent structures and added to taxable areas.
Even small additions could lead to substantial tax increases and arrears, he said.
Mr. Kathirmathiyon also questioned the apparent lack of distinction between thatched, tiled and RCC structures and said every structure identified through a drone survey should be physically verified, measured and properly classified before reassessment.
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