PGIMER's residential holdings owe Rs 1.58 crore, and Defence Estates in Sector 9 has dues of Rs 1.86 crore. (File Photo)Top 20 commercial property tax defaulters collectively owe over Rs 196 crore unpaid dues, with Panjab University topping the chart, owing a whopping Rs 68.85 crore alone, according to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC).PU is followed by IT Park (Commercial) Rs 45 crore, and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) — its commercial properties owe Rs 23.06 crore. The trio — PU, IT Park and PGI —account for more than Rs 136 crore of the total over Rs 196 crore, making up nearly 70 per cent of the total unpaid dues.MC officials provided the list, which has been attached to a copy of the upcoming agenda, as it was sought in a question asked by Councillor Maheshinder Singh Sidhu.The list also features government and institutional properties such as Chandigarh Housing Board’s CE UT (Commercial) with Rs 16.55 crore pending, and the Chandigarh Golf Club owing Rs 12.20 crore, which is currently sub judice.Punjab Engineering College (PEC) (Commercial) has also made the list with dues of Rs 10.91 crore, National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) owes Rs 3.13 crore, and the Chandigarh railway station (Commercial) has outstanding dues of Rs 2.98 crore.Notably, even residential properties owned by government institutions appear on the list.PGIMER’s residential holdings owe Rs 1.58 crore, and Defence Estates in Sector 9 has dues of Rs 1.86 crore.Story continues below this adThe hospitality sector also features prominently, with several luxury hotels among the top defaulters. Hotel James Plaza in Sector 17 owes Rs 1.17 crore, and Taj Hotel in the same area has dues of Rs 1.15 crore — both hotels are facing court cases over their liabilities. Similarly, Anand Theatre, another old establishment, owes Rs 80.42 lakh, and the matter is also under litigation.In the commercial property category, Plot No. 179-180 in Industrial Area Phase I has an outstanding of Rs 1.19 crore, and Sector 26 Sabzi Mandi owes Rs 1.18 crore.Smaller but significant defaulters include PEC’s residential property Rs 57.90 lakh, Golf Range (Sector 6) with Rs 55.80 lakh, Haryana PWD (Sector 33A) Rs 54.80 lakh, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 29, Rs 51.85 lakh and Executive Engineer, CPWD (Sector 7B), Rs 40.72 lakh in dues.While some of these cases are under judicial review, the mounting dues have prompted the Corporation to adopt a more transparent and public approach to recovery. Senior officials have hinted that in the absence of timely payments, stricter enforcement actions such as the sealing of properties, interest penalties, or recovery notices could follow.Story continues below this ad“With municipal revenues under strain, the collection of these dues is essential for the upkeep of civic infrastructure, development works, and public services in the city,” an MC official said.MC officials have also appealed to defaulting institutions and property owners to come forward and clear their dues promptly, warning that legal recourse will be escalated if necessary.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd