Authorities in the Indian city ofBangaloreare using drummers to recover property taxes from tax shirkers, who owe thousands of dollars.
The corporation officials have hired a group of workers to drum outside the homes and offices of people who have not paid taxes.
The intention is to shame and embarrass these defaulters into paying what they owe.
Corporation officials told the BBC that they were using this quirky method to recover taxes from those who have not paid in years.
The amount of tax owed is nearly $40m (£25m)
“The taxes recovered will be used to help provide better civic services in the city” Commissioner Siddaiah told the broadcaster.
A group of drummers have already been sent to offices rented out by a multinational company, whose owner is suspected of not paying his taxes for more than three years.
Mr Siddaiah said that the drummers made enough noise to draw the public’s attention.
“The more noise, the more the embarrassment for the owner and his tenants” said one official.
Notices were sent out to evaders, but have been ignored, according to officials.
One lavish home in the central district of Bangalore was surrounded by drummers, who pounded on their instruments for more than an hour.
The irritated homeowner, who is alleged to owe thousands of dollars in taxes, stormed out of the property and confronted the drummers, but it did not stop them from playing.
But officials have warned that if evaders continue to ignore their notices, they will be forced to have their properties repossessed.
