Property Tax: GHMC to go after big defaulters

Civic body nets Rs.775 cr., plans to reach target of Rs. 1,250 cr. by March 31. The civic body hopes to inch towards its ambitious target of Rs.1,250 crore. GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar said a series of concerted efforts have started to yield at least Rs.10 crore per day.

Focus on 150 top defaulters in each circle, notices, warrants and seizure of properties led to the GHMC netting Rs.775 crore of property tax thus far, surpassing last year’s collection of Rs.747 crore at the same time.

With just a week for March 31 deadline, the civic body hopes to inch towards its ambitious target of Rs.1,250 crore. GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar said a series of concerted efforts have started to yield at least Rs.10 crore per day and special attention will be paid towards big defaulters eluding the tax net.

Tax from the government to the tune of Rs.40 crore was already deposited and departments such as the BSNL, CPCDCL, Railways and APSRTC which have to make payments between Rs.6 crore and Rs.8 crore, were asked to clear the amounts in the next couple of days.

‘More payments expected’

More payments are expected to trickle from Wednesday onwards since large clearances are made on the last days. “Individuals and institutions are in the habit of clearing the dues in the last hour, and there has been an instance when payments of almost Rs.150 crore were made on the last day,” he said.

The offer of interest waiver on property tax dues till the month-end would also spur a last minute rush, it was reasoned.

Special counters are proposed to be set up on the last two days of the month, which are holidays.

The GHMC has also sought property tax from the metro rail developers for land belonging to HMT which was taken on lease for the casting yard at Qutbullahpur, and also raised a few structures there. Mr. Somesh Kumar HMT owed a considerable chunk of property tax dues, of around Rs.10 crore including interest component.

“They (Metro Rail) have to make lease payments to the HMT. We have asked our tax dues to be cleared from the amount they have to pay to the HMT,” he said.

That apart another Rs.29 lakh as property tax have been sought for a pre-fab structure.

The issue was discussed with both the HMR and L&TMRH officials and a positive outcome is expected in a day or two. “Some points related to concessionaire agreement were raised and they said the government should pay the tax and not them. They will have to resolve the issue with the government,” Mr. Somesh Kumar added.