The New Indian Express 26.08.2010
Corporators oppose hike in property tax
HYDERABAD: Cutting across party lines, mayor Banda Karthika Reddy and floor leaders of Congress, Telugu Desam, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and Bharatiya Janata Party in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have decided to oppose the proposal of GHMC commissioner to hike property taxes by 30 per cent from the next financial year.The mayor held a meeting with all floor leaders here on Wednesday to seek their views on the issue. Deputy mayor Jaffer Hussain, Kaleru Venkatesh (Congress), Singi Reddy Srinivas Reddy (TDP), Salim Mustafa Baig (MIM) and Bangari Prakash (BJP) attended the meeting.
GHMC commissioner Sameer Sharma who was also present at the meeting explained to the members there is a need to hike property taxes to seek Rs 600 crore loans from nationalised banks and financial institutions, as GHMC was financially unsound. To repay the loan, it is necessary to increase the property tax. If we don’t take loans, development works would come to a standstill, he said.
The mayor, deputy mayor and all floor leaders shot down the proposal and wanted him to rectify internal loopholes that could help the GHMC to get 30 percent additional tax through rationalisation, taking action against habitual defaulters and increasing staff to collect the taxes.
TDP floor leader Singi Reddy Srinivas Reddy said citizens are suffering badly due to the inefficient GHMC authorities.
Though they are paying taxes, the GHMC is not able to provide basic amenities, he added. He also warned that TDP will lay siege to the chief minister and urban development minister offices, if the taxes were increased. wMIM floor leader Mirza Mustafa Baig said the GHMC should concentrate on improving civic services instead of planning tax hikes.
BJP floor leader Bangari Prakash said his party would not allow the increase in property taxes. When GHMC cannot provide even basic amenities to citizens, it is unjust to hike property taxes, he said.
