HYDERABAD: As the financial year nears its conclusion, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is intensifying its actions against long-time property tax defaulters. To date, over 100 significant commercial properties have been sealed, with the GHMC aiming to recover hundreds of crores in unpaid taxes.
The GHMC reports that over 30,000 commercial entities—spanning luxury hotels, retail chains, and small shops—have neglected to settle their tax dues. The civic body is now concentrating on the most egregious offenders, sealing their premises to facilitate payment.
This crackdown follows numerous ignored notices issued over the years. Notable cases include the Katriya Hotel in Somajiguda, sealed due to unpaid tax liabilities of Rs 6.16 crore, and the Aurora College in Nampally, which owes Rs 1.28 crore.
Several other sites are also affected, such as a complex in Chappal Bazar, Amberpet, sealed for a Rs 4 lakh tax debt dating back to 2013, and a building in Attapur locked for Rs 11 lakh owed since 2021.
The enforcement initiative seems to be producing prompt results, with several businesses immediately settling their dues after being targeted. For instance, the Belson Taj Hotel in Secunderabad cleared an outstanding payment of Rs 35 lakh just moments after being sealed by the GHMC.
GHMC Expands Drive to Vacant Lots
The GHMC has broadened its tax collection efforts to include vacant lands in addition to constructed properties. Among the top defaulters are Sandesh Estates in Jubilee Hills, owing Rs 4.45 crore, and Leela Ventures with a tax liability of Rs 2.62 crore. Officials have indicated that building permissions for these properties will be suspended until the taxes are paid.
“Failure to settle dues may lead to actions under the Revenue Recovery Act, potentially including property auctions. With only days left in the 2025-26 financial year, we encourage defaulters to utilize the ongoing One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, which offers a 90% waiver on interest. Once the scheme concludes on April 1, dues will increase substantially,” stated a senior GHMC revenue official.
Combined Property Tax Arrears Exceed Rs 4,000 Crore
In related news, property tax collections across the GHMC, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation totaled over Rs 2,300 crore. However, the three corporations collectively fell short of the Rs 4,000 crore target for overall property tax collections, which includes arrears from previous years.
