Hyderabad property tax arrears cross ₹3,000 crore; commercial units, govt buildings top defaulters
HYDERABAD: Property tax arrears across the three municipal corporations in Greater Hyderabad have crossed ₹3,000 crore, surpassing the current fiscal’s collections and targets.
Officials said that by March 31, when the one-time settlement (OTS) scheme ends, arrears could touch ₹5,000 crore. The scheme offers a 90% waiver on accumulated interest for pending dues.
Before the trifurcation of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the property tax collection target for the current financial year was ₹3,000 crore.
Collections fall short of target
So far this fiscal, GHMC, the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation have together collected around ₹2,000 crore in property tax. The shortfall has affected development works.
Within GHMC limits alone, arrears stand at about ₹1,400 crore, spread across nearly 3.5 lakh assessments. Across the three corporations, 6–7 lakh property owners are estimated to be in default.
Officials said nearly 30% of total arrears around ₹900 crore to ₹1,000 crore are from commercial establishments. Several high-value properties and developers have delayed payments despite repeated notices.
Notices issued; action under GHMC Act
A senior official in the GHMC revenue wing said the corporation has begun issuing notices to defaulters.
“If they fail to clear dues despite the 90% interest waiver under OTS, we will issue distress warrants under Section 269 of the GHMC Act. Once a distress warrant is issued, the corporation has the power to attach and auction properties to recover dues,” the official said.
Civic authorities said property tax is their primary revenue source. With urban expansion, infrastructure demands and recurring flood mitigation works, delayed payments are affecting the city’s development capacity.
Commercial entities among top defaulters
Among major defaulters within GHMC limits are:
Kripa Devi & others — ₹6.4 crore (Jubilee Hills)
Sandesh Estates & 12 others — ₹4.5 crore (Jubilee Hills)
Hotel Leela Ventures — ₹2.6 crore
Katriya Hotels — ₹6.1 crore
Sweety Builders — ₹5.9 crore (Khairatabad)
Sunder Steel — ₹2.6 crore (Rajendra Nagar)
Presteels Fabrications — ₹2.2 crore (Yousufguda)
Govt buildings owe nearly ₹1,000 crore
Officials said government properties form another major category of defaulters. Around 290 state and central government buildings within GHMC limits have accumulated large unpaid dues.
Institutions together owe nearly ₹1,000 crore in property tax arrears.
Major defaulters reportedly include the Telangana secretariat, revenue department offices, Osmania Medical College, Gandhi Hospital and buildings of the prohibition and excise department. Though GHMC has recovered partial payments after repeated correspondence, a substantial portion remains unpaid.
