Tag: Guntur

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Guntur Civic Body Waives Uncollectable Property Tax Arrears

GUNTUR: The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has eliminated ₹33.62 crore in ‘uncollectable’ property tax arrears as part of its initial phase, addressing a total of over ₹80 crore in long-standing demands. Property and vacant land taxes are vital for GMC, generating an approximate annual revenue of ₹300 crore. Yet, collection rates have historically remained at 50-60%, primarily due to staff oversight and accumulating uncollectable amounts. “We conducted a comprehensive review of the outstanding dues and determined that certain assessments could be waived following due diligence. Every record will be made public, as the council has approved this proposal. This initiative…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Guntur to Merge 18 Villages Before Boundary Deadline

GUNTUR: In a last-minute action prior to the Centre’s deadline for finalizing geographical boundaries, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) council has approved a resolution to merge 18 villages into the corporation. The proposal has been sent to the district collector, who will submit a report to the government for final approval. Originally, only 11 villages were proposed for the merger, but an additional seven were included due to pressure from local legislators. However, the ambition to elevate the civic body to a city with over one million residents may take a couple of years, as the Centre has instructed all…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Land Acquisition Issues Approaching Resolution in AP Capital Region

Representative AI image VIJAYAWADA: A three-member committee set up to tackle outstanding issues for farmers in the capital region announced on Saturday that land acquisition challenges are close to resolution, and infrastructure efforts in capital villages are set to accelerate. The committee includes Union Minister and Guntur MP Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P Narayana, and Tadikonda MLA Tenali Sravan Kumar. They also addressed the issue of pensions for the landless poor, assigning CRDA officials to review each application. Pemmasani stated that all pending concerns have been sorted into major and general categories, prioritizing based on…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Guntur to Cut Water Supply for Tax Evaders’ Properties

GUNTUR: In an effort to achieve 100% tax compliance, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) is set to disconnect drinking water taps and drainage services for both residential and commercial properties. Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu has instructed officials to cut civic amenities for those who have long-standing dues for property tax, vacant land tax, metered water charges, and tap fees. Furthermore, he plans to hold all senior officials, including deputy commissioners, accountable for revenue generation. He expressed frustration over the ‘zero percent’ daily collection performance from several ward secretariats, especially now that the financial year is well underway. He emphasized that continued…

Latest StoriesResidential

Guntur’s 120-Day Online Window to Legalize Illegal Buildings

GUNTUR: The state government has introduced guidelines for the regularisation of buildings constructed without permission or that deviate from approved plans through the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS). Municipal Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu explained that this initiative aims to help property owners legalise their constructions. Applications for regularisation under the BPS must be submitted online within 120 days from the date of the order, he clarified. The Commissioner noted that certain relaxations have been implemented to encourage public participation. Buildings constructed before December 1, 1997, will receive a 25% concession on penal charges, and residential buildings up to G+1 on 60 square…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

AP HC Orders Release of Builder Detained by Consumer Body

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently stated that the consumer redressal commission must adhere to procedural safeguards protecting a citizen’s liberty before incarcerating any defaulter. In a ruling that led to the immediate release of a realtor who had spent three years in jail, the court reaffirmed that human liberty is a fundamental right that must be protected diligently. It asserted that a violation of orders from the consumer redressal commission does not inherently warrant imprisonment. This case emerged from complaints against Vijaya Saradhi Housing Pvt Ltd, a real estate firm based in Guntur, which had taken advances for…