Addressing a press conference here on Monday, association secretary M V
Anjaneyulu alleged that soon after the completion of the  fiscal year,
the cash-strapped VMC was “over ambitious” to collect the property tax
through one-time settlement. 

The decision will affect the poor and middle class in the city. He
pointed that the civic body has been violating the Section 264 of the
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Act 1955, which clearly
states that taxes can be payable by the residents in advance either in
half-yearly or in quarterly instalment.

Anjaneyulu also took a dig at the indifferent attitude of the VMC for
not initiating action against the ruling TDP leaders whose names are
listed as tax defaulters by the civic body officials. Not even a single
notice has been served on them. At the same time, the civic body is
evolving plans to burden the common people, he added.

“If the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation is really committed to the
development of the city, first it should serve notices and initiate
action against the ruling party leaders,” he dared.

Last year also, the VMC planned to enforce one-time settlement for
collecting property tax from the residents, but failed to do so after
facing stiff opposition from the left parties and civic associations. 

Once again, the civic body has come up with the proposal this year as it
failed to meet the fixed target, Anjaneyulu said. He added that if the
VMC implemented one-time settlement for property tax, definitely it
would have its impact on other taxations.
Association president V Sambi Reddy was also present at the news conference.