Tamil Nadu government urged to review drone-based property tax reassessments

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.Property owners should be given details of the additional area and proposed tax and a reasonable opportunity to file objections before the revised assessment, he said.The organisation also objected to treating open structures with overhead coverings such as thatch or metal sheets as taxable permanent buildings, particularly when all four sides remained open.It urged the government to tax only actual enclosed areas, physically verify drone measurements and avoid retrospective arrears on old structures merely because they were identified through drone surveys.The representation also referred to opposition to drone surveys in Coimbatore and other parts of the State in 2024, following which the exercise was stopped in several places, including Coimbatore.“Property tax assessment should be fair, transparent and reasonable, and not merely aimed at maximising revenue through automated or aerial identification of structures,” Mr. Kathirmathiyon said. Published - August 28, 2026 06:37 pm IST