Hyderabad: Cash-strapped Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has zeroed in on government buildings to collect property tax in order to boost revenue and alleviate the financial crisis. With the new revenue drive program, GHMC is hoping to mobilize Rs 500 crore this financial year. Of late, GHMC is reeling under severe financial crisis.

The GHMC officials have estimated unpaid property tax dues from the government buildings in the city to the tune of Rs 180 crore.

A recent survey showcased that tax dues inspected on 26,219 households stood at Rs 14.34 crore, the commissioner added that, they can earn around Rs 100 crore even from the 50% of the properties assessed

GHMC commissioner B Janardhan Reddy in a review meeting held on Thursday said that in 2002 and 2007 property tax rates for residential and commercial buildings were enhanced.

The Commissioner said: “As part of the action plan to improve revenues, GHMC will verify properties with tax less than Rs1,200 per annum. Through this exercise, GHMC is expected get an additional Rs 100 crore this year. The Deputy Municipal Commissioners will complete 100 percent verification of PTIN, issue demand notices by October 15.”

Reddy further said that to boost revenue the civic body is planning to take up a re-assessment of various residential buildings and trade license applications.

A recent survey showcased that tax dues inspected on 26,219 households stood at Rs 14.34 crore, the commissioner added that, they can earn around Rs 100 crore even from the 50 percent of the properties assessed.

GHMC has found that there are about 64,000 potential commercial electric connections with no match of PTIN and would be brought into commercial category. GHMC will assess the one lakh notorised government properties and collect Rs180 crore during the current year. GHMC is not collecting property tax on notorised government properties. Bill collectors will verify, link PTIN, assess where there is no PTIN with relevant retrospective effect and revise property tax in case under assessment by October 5.

According to the sources, the Telangana government has turned down a proposal on hiking property tax. GHMC had sent the proposal to the State government to allow it to increase the property tax from the current financial year. GHMC increased property tax for residential properties in 2002 and commercial properties in 2007 and since there was no increase in the property tax.