GHMC to reassess property tax for BRS applicants

Only 39,379 of the 1.17 lakh properties assessed so far

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has decided to reassess property tax on the 78,000-odd buildings, which have applied for regularisation under the Building Regularisation Scheme (BRS), on a war footing.

GHMC commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy on Friday advised the deputy commissioners and medical officers of the municipal circles concerned to calculate the tax based on structural valuations since the property owners had admitted to have taken up unauthorised constructions by applying for clearance under BRS.

Although the regularisation process is in the high court, the municipal corporation can levy tax in the meantime. Of the 1.17 lakh applications filed under the scheme, property tax assessment has been done for only 39,379 properties so far.

At a special meeting held with top officials at the Salar Jung museum auditorium on Friday, Mr. Reddy called for speedy completion of the mutation process for applications seeking change in ownership of properties.

These steps, if followed diligently along with focus on trade licenses, would enhance tax collections and thereby, generate revenue for the civic body.

The commissioner also highlighted the need for daily inspection of the functioning of sweeping machines and vigil to prevent garbage and sundry material being dumped into storm water drains and water bodies.

₹50 lakh prize

GHMC has announced ₹50 lakh cash prize for the municipal division that practices the best cleanliness programmes like segregation of waste, garbage clearance, sweeping, neat and functional public/ community toilets and compost units for large waste generating units like hotels. The divisions will be adjudged by a third party upon physical verification. Minister for Municipal Administration K.T. Rama Rao had mentioned about the scheme during his recent meeting with the TRS corporators.

₹15 lakh cheque

Earlier, Dr. Reddy received a ₹15 lakh cheque from the West zone officials under the CSR scheme for taking up the beautification of thoroughfares and junctions for the upcoming Global Entrepreneurs Summit at HICC this month-end.