The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will soon launch a three month special drive against the property tax defaulters from April to June. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, GHMC mayor M Majid Hussain and GHMC commissioner M T Krishna Babu said all property tax defaulters in the city will be asked to clear their pending dues and also the penalty amount.

Of the total 13,12,147 property tax assessments, about 8,12,465 owners have paid their property tax. Despite several reminders the remaining 5 lakh house owners, mostly those owning residential houses have failed to pay the property. The dues are to the tune of Rs 3,271 crore. The state government earlier waived interest on arrears and current year dues on property tax, if paid before March 31. It also adjusted already paid interest amount to the property tax payable in future.

“The waiver of interest on arrears and current year dues is a one-time concession provided the assesses clears the entire arrears and current year dues of property tax in a single payment or in instalments before March 31. Many house owners failed to utilise the chance,” said Krishna Babu.  

Criminal cases against bounced cheque’s:

On the issue of bounced cheques, the commissioner said that GHMC will wait up to April 5 to see if the cheques are honoured.

In case of the cheques’ getting bounced, the GHMC will book criminal cases against the people for issuing dishonoured cheques. GHMC has appointed a consultant to deal with such cases.

The total revenue income and capital receipts for 2012-13 was about Rs 2,492 crore as against Rs 1,886 crore during 2011-12, an increase of Rs 606 crore (32 per cent). The Rs 2,492 crore includes Rs 1,890 crore as revenue income and `602 crore as capital receipts.

The property tax collection for 2012-13 was  Rs 779 crore which is an increase of Rs 179 crore (30 per cent).

About Rs 338 crore is from TPT receipts, increase of Rs 80 crore (31 per cent). The town planning receipts is about Rs 515 crore which is an increase of Rs 179 crore (54 per cent).

The BPSLRS is Rs 158 crore, showing an increase of Rs 101 crore (86 per cent). Trade licence receipts are Rs 26 crore, showing an increase of Rs 4 crore (21 per cent).

The advertisement receipts are Rs 27 crore, an increase of Rs 5 crore (23 per cent).

During 2012-13, GHMC has spent Rs 329 crore on road developmental works, Rs 8 crore for the construction of flyovers and bridges, Rs 1010 crore for constructing storm water drains, Rs 31 crore parks, Rs 4 crore for playgrounds.