Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which is buoyed by all-time record property tax collection of Rs 1,917 crore, is gearing up to file cases against the tax defaulters. Due to invalid cheques, nearly Rs 9 crore tax amount could not be accrued to the civic body’s account.
In some cases, where signatures mismatched with the bank’s database, or incorrect details were entered when specifying the amount, the civic body might go easy on such property owners.
According to GHMC, as many as 800 cheques worth Rs 9 crore bounced for reasons such as insufficient funds in taxpayers’ accounts, incorrect signatures, or technical issues with the bank. The issue came to light during the civic body’s financial audit.
GHMC accepts property tax payments in various forms, including cash, online transactions, demand drafts, and cheques. While online payments and those made through hand-held devices by bill collectors get automatically credited into GHMC’s treasury, some 800 cheques submitted in favour of the civic body bounced when presented at the bank.
Officials said some taxpayers with outstanding dues gave cheques despite insufficient bank balances, causing severe inconvenience during audit. “Even though there was insufficient amount in the bank, taxpayers had given us cheques when officials visited their homes for tax collection,”a senior GHMC official said.
GHMC has collected ₹1,917 crore by way of property taxes during 2023-24 year, an increase of ₹257 crore compared to previous fiscal. Over two lakh property owners were yet to clear outstanding dues
GHMC has collected ₹1,917 crore by way of property taxes during 2023-24 year, an increase of ₹257 crore compared to previous fiscal. Over two lakh property owners were yet to clear outstanding dues.