The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) netted a total of Rs.895.50 crore towards property tax by Saturday night and is likely to touch the Rs.1,100 crore mark on the last day of tax payment on Monday.
The civic body which already surpassed last year collection of Rs.747 crore, anticipates large payments on Monday as it happens to be the last day to avail interest waiver on the property tax dues. “So far, more than 1,51,000 tax payers have availed the benefit of interest waiver to the tune of Rs.40 crore,” the GHMC Commissioner, Somesh Kumar told presspersons here on Sunday.
The response from the citizens towards the property tax collection drive had been positive which resulted in 8.40 lakh property owners making the payments so far, he said. “By tomorrow evening, I am confident that the GHMC would have record collections and cross the Rs.1,000 crore mark and move towards Rs.1,100 crore,” he quipped.
Among its 18 circles, Serilingampally circle this year recorded a jump of 39 per cent netting Rs.72 crore as against Rs.56 crore last year. The other top grosser included L.B.Nagar where collections with two more days left, stood at Rs.69 crore on Saturday as against last year’s Rs.60 crore. Overall, the civic body recorded a rise of 23 per cent in collection as compared to last year.
Mr. Somesh Kumar said several government wings such as Railways, Wakf Board and others had for the first time opened accounts and made property tax payments while the amounts from Hyderabad Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) was expected to be finalised tomorrow.
The Commissioner urged those who had not paid the tax so far to do the same on Monday and the civic body counters would be open despite Ugadi festival holiday tomorrow. Those preferring online payments have the opportunity of making the payments till mid-night on Monday, he added.
