Underassessed properties face tax net

Owners of properties that have not been assessed for tax can no longer escape by paying less taxes.

The GHMC is set to evaluate all properties and bring them under the tax net. Also, all new properties will be assessed by reconciling records with occupancy certificates. Structures that will be assessed include multi-level buildings, private land and Wakf properties.

Those having open plots will have to pay vacant land tax. The GHMC will be taxing all land assets and this is being done to increase the revenue of the corporation as there is now very little scope to get funds from the state government.

GHMC commissioner Dr B. Janardhan Reddy said: “Thousands of buildings do not pay tax as per plinth area. All unassessed and under assessed properties will be brought under the tax net. New properties will be identified through occupancy certificates and under-assessed structures through building regularisation scheme applications. The focus will be on unauthorised structures on government and private lands and Wakf Board lands.”

He added: “The GHMC will levy a vacant land tax on all approved open plots as per layout regularisation scheme applications. Revenue generation will also be improved by executing warrants and by attaching properties that are violating rules. This will be done by forming collection teams that will work in co-ordination with nodal officers and outreach staff.

The civic body has also approved 3,572 km of road digging works by various agencies.

Commissioner Dr B. Janardhan Reddy has also directed the engineering staff to call for road restoration works if roads have been dug up. The agencies have been given a restoration deadline of May 31.

Additionally, the GHMC has approved digging of 2,700 km of roads by the water board, 588 km by the Reliance group and 84 km by electricity supply agencies and another 18 km by other agencies.