Ponguru Narayana, the Minister for MA&UD, has urged the populace to cooperate in making Nellore a Smart City by promptly paying any outstanding taxes.

Speaking to reporters during a review meeting with local authorities here on Sunday, the Minister made the point that until people pay their taxes correctly, it would be very difficult to start developmental initiatives. He said that the Nellore Municipal Corporation has unpaid property taxes of Rs 93 crore.

Officials have been instructed by Minister Narayana to launch a special campaign to collect unpaid taxes from the general public. He told the authorities to notify him of any problems pertaining to the collection of unpaid taxes, and he would take care of them right away.

He said that because of political interference in the government, the town planning sector was completely diluted during the previous YSRCP regime. He said that individuals should build their homes according to the rules and that if the recipients correctly meet the town planning division’s standards, the municipal administration would provide approval on time.

Among those in attendance was Commissioner Surya Teja.