Telangana survey finds property tax evaders
Kukatpally, Qutubullaupur lead with maximum defaulters
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-08-25 01:40 GMT
Hyderabad: Kukatpally and Qutubullahpur in Greater Hyderabad recorded the highest number of property tax defaulters during the Telangana State Intensive Household Survey held on August 19. Secunderabad, Alwal, Malkajgiri, under North Zone, and Serilingampally, RC Puram under West Zone were not too far behind.
These two zones have 1.81 lakh units in north and 1.53 lakh in the west. In the east, LB Nagar, showed a marked increase in the number of defaulters. The GHMC’s negligence in assessing properties in its jurisdiction is mainly to be blamed for the alarming figures. It alleged that tax department officers receive kickbacks to ignore tax collection on an annual basis and thus, many newly constructed units escape tax payment.
To begin construction, an applicant needs to seek permission from the GHMC. Once the structure is completed, they need to get an Occupancy Certificate (OC), which is mandatory for occupancy and obtaining water and electricity connections. Once the OC issued by the GHMC, the details of the building are passed on to the property tax department where the GHMC issues a property notice (amount charged) to the household.
O.M. Debra, an activist fighting against defaulters, said, “When the building is completed, it is the duty of the GHMC to assess the property and collect tax. Why are they quiet considering such a great number of defaulters? The top level officers should be questioned.”
Somesh Kumar, GHMC commissioner said, “Now that the corporation has identified these households, we will check on the pending dues.”