AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh’s Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have raised over Rs 1,010.7 crore in property tax for April, including arrears and penalties, showing a 24.1% increase from the Rs 814.1 crore collected during the same month last year, according to a top official’s statement on Sunday.
The increase is attributed to a comprehensive revenue strategy that incorporates Geographic Information System (GIS)-based property mapping, drone surveys, digital dashboards, and app-based payments, as stated by Municipal Administration and Urban Development Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar.
“In April, property tax collections exceeded Rs 1,010 crore, including arrears and penalties, marking over a 24% growth compared to the previous year,” Kumar said.
He emphasized that compliant taxpayers should not shoulder the burden of non-assessed properties and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a transparent, citizen-focused, and accountable municipal revenue system.
Kumar noted that the ULBs collected Rs 948.1 crore against a current demand of Rs 2,683.5 crore, achieving 35.3% of the demand within April.
According to the MA&UD Department, the current demand rose from Rs 2,556.7 crore in 2025-26 to Rs 2,683.5 crore in 2026-27, indicating enhanced assessment coverage and identification of taxable properties.
Among the Municipal Corporations, Kakinada led with over Rs 29.5 crore against a demand of Rs 68.3 crore, followed by Mangalagiri-Tadepalli, Guntur, Rajahmundry, and Kurnool, achieving over 39% collection efficiency.
Vijayawada collected Rs 85.9 crore against a demand of Rs 219.2 crore, while the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) recorded Rs 230.1 crore against Rs 691.9 crore during this period.
Among other ULBs, Addanki excelled with a 51.5% collection rate, followed by Atmakur, Vuyyuru, Vinukonda, Kovvur, Ponnur, Chirala, Piduguralla, Tadigadapa, and Giddalur.
Kumar mentioned that digital dashboards, verification tools, and online payment systems have enabled real-time tracking, reducing leakages, and enhancing the accuracy of property records across ULBs.
The government has also simplified payment channels via mobile apps, online gateways, and ULB counters, offering a 5% rebate to promote early payments, as per the release.
He highlighted that automated mutation processes for urban properties have improved service delivery, with over 13,900 applications received and more than 12,000 mutations completed so far.
Additionally, provisional assessments have been established for over 96,000 newly identified properties, which include private holdings and vacant lands, thus broadening the municipal tax base.
Steps have also been taken to recover long-overdue arrears from public sector undertakings and government institutions within the next three months.
Kumar instructed ULBs to issue notices to vacant land tax defaulters and pursue legal actions in court-related cases to ensure timely recovery of dues.
The Principal Secretary mentioned that the department is exploring blockchain technology to enhance transparency, security, and credibility of municipal property records.
Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana stated that improved property tax collections are vital for bolstering ULBs and enhancing civic infrastructure across the state.
He further stated that utilizing technology-based verification to include unassessed and under-assessed properties in the tax net will lead to a fairer system.
