No increase in property tax: GHMC commissioner

HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is not considering any increase in property tax, GHMC commissioner MT Krishna Babu has said.During the sixth ordinary general body meeting on Thursday, the commissioner said to enhance income, the corporation is taking various measures to double revenues from property tax by rectifying the deficiencies such as bringing nonassessed and underassessed properties into property tax net, changing of categories where building usage changed from residential to commercial and other uses like hostels, shopping and others. "The GHMC is confident of doubling the property tax collection from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,000 crore without increasing tax rates. The additional revenue would help us in taking up developmental works," Krishna Babu said.Speaking about complaints made by certain corporators about Town Planning officials not initiating any action against illegal buildings in the city, the commissioner said if the council passes a resolution, they would take up action against such building owners and builders.He said a few hundred illegal structures under various stages of construction had been demolished in recent months. On the Green Channel policy for disposal of building applications, he said the post of a head officer for buildings will be introduced after getting approval from the state government.Meanwhile, cutting across party lines, corporators accused officials of sitting on crucial works like road and sewerage repairs, water line renovation, sanitation work among others.The commissioner admitted to delay in execution of works stating there is shortage of staff and assured all works will be taken up soon. Majority of the corporators also expressed unhappiness on remodelling of storm water drains and width of nalas. Though Rs 266 crore were released by JNNURM for widening of drains, GHMC has spent less than Rs 80 crore and widened less than 100km length of nalas, corporators alleged.Krishna Babu said an allparty meeting will be convened for consensus on removal of nala encroachments.