Synopsis
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has seized the Taj Banjara hotel in Banjara Hills for failing to pay property taxes amounting to Rs 1.43 crore, despite several notices. The hotel management has promised to clear the dues promptly as GHMC intensifies its collection efforts.Key Takeaways
- Taj Banjara hotel seized over unpaid property tax.
- Outstanding dues totaled Rs 1.43 crore.
- GHMC committed to strict tax collection.
- Only 12 lakh of 23 lakh buildings pay taxes on time.
- Property Tax Parishkaram initiative launched for tax issues.
Hyderabad, Feb 21 (NationPress) The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) took control of a luxury hotel located in the affluent Banjara Hills area due to its inability to settle property tax debts.
This prominent hotel in Hyderabad was seized for not adhering to property tax obligations.
GHMC representatives mentioned that the Taj Banjara management neglected to pay an outstanding amount of Rs 1.43 crore even after multiple reminders.
After the hotel did not comply with the 'Red notice,' the civic body proceeded with the seizure of the property situated on Road Number 3, Banjara Hills.
GHMC officials stated that the hotel has been delinquent in paying property tax for the past two years.
In light of GHMC’s actions, the hotel management assured that the outstanding dues will be settled by the day's end.
GHMC officials emphasized their commitment to rigorously pursuing property tax collections from defaulters.
They made it clear that they would not hesitate to take drastic actions, including property seizures, to recover unpaid dues.
The GHMC is currently tasked with recovering property tax arrears totaling Rs 9,800 crore from property owners within its jurisdiction.
For the ongoing fiscal year, the municipal corporation has set a collection target of Rs. 2,200 crore, with Rs. 1,400 crore collected up to last month.
Of the 2.3 million properties within GHMC limits, only 1.2 million owners pay their property tax on time.
In the previous fiscal year, the GHMC garnered Rs. 320 crore from property taxes across 1.08 lakh buildings.
Commissioner K. Ilambarithi has instructed officials to employ all necessary strategies to recover overdue property taxes.
As part of these initiatives, the GHMC plans to reintroduce the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme.
On Thursday, the GHMC declared that it will host ‘Property Tax Parishkaram’ every Saturday from February 22 to March 29 at all its circle offices, aimed at addressing longstanding property tax disputes.
This grievance redressal initiative will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cover issues such as tax disputes, revision petitions, corrections in property tax assessments, payments through bill collectors/RTGS, clearing online arrears, court case resolutions, IGRS issues, self-assessment, and other tax-related concerns.
