Tax defaulters in east Delhi literally faced the music on Wednesday after East Corporation sent drum beaters outside the houses of property tax offenders to make them pay their dues.

"The Assessment & Collection Department initiated the drum beating process as it has been observed that huge amount is outstanding against many properties falling within the jurisdiction of Shahdara (South) Zone, whose owners did not pay property tax even after issuing of statutory notices," said Mahipal, joint assessor and collector.

Drum beating ceremony started at 12 noon from Laxmi Nagar area and 13 properties were targeted. "These property owners have been given opportunities time and again to clear their property tax but they failed to do so." said the corporation's spokesperson.

After the drum beating ceremony, some of the property tax defaulters have given the assurance of clearing their dues at the earliest. Officials said that even after the drum beating exercise if these defaulters do not pay up, corporation will attach their bank accounts and properties.

The department has also made it clear that it is not considering or proposing any amnesty scheme for waiving off the interest and penalty on the arrears of property tax for the current year.