The Deccan Chronicle 01.10.2010
Corporators favour only 25% penaltySept. 30: Corporators have asked the officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to withdraw the decision to levy 200 per cent penalty on the owners of buildings who have not obtained an occupancy certificate. The standing committee led by the mayor, Ms Kartika Reddy, said, as per the GHMC Act, only 25 per cent of additional property tax can be levied in the form of penalty on the owners or builders for not obtaining an OC from the civic body.
The standing committee — comprising 15 corporators and the mayor as its chairperson — adopted a resolution stating only 25 per cent penalty should be levied as per the GHMC Act, and not 200 per cent as being claimed by the officials.
The ruling Congress-MIM alliance in the GHMC feared that the Opposition Telugu Desam would take the credit for reducing the penalty burden on citizens, if the ruling alliance delayed its decision. The TD has been demanding a reduction in penalty.
However, officials maintained that the GO 86 clearly states that 200 per cent penalty has to be collected from the owners of the flats or buildings until the time they obtain an occupancy certificate. The corporators do not have “full knowledge” of the GHMC Act and GO 86. The resolution adopted by the standing committee is not final. It will be sent to the state government for its opinion. The GHMC chief city planner said they will wait for a decision from the state government.
