The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation(GVMC) received 6,755 online applications for building plan approvals in 2022. The civic body has so far given nod for 5,025 plans, while it rejected 26 applications on various grounds. The remaining 1,704 applications are in various stages of processing.
The GVMC realised 208 crore revenue by approving these plans in 2022. There is more than 30% increase in its revenue compared to the 150 crore that it could gain through building plan approval charges in 2021. The GVMC received 6,144 applications in 2021.
Of the nearly 6,500 that the corporation scrutinised in both 2021 and 2022, about 5,500 applications came from the individual residences. About 500 applications were related to the apartment developers. The remaining applications fell into other categories.
Similarly, the civic body collected 67 crore more property tax in 2022 compared to that of the corresponding period last year. In absolute terms, the GVMC realised 264 crore property tax as of December 20 compared to 197 crore in 2021. The property tax collections stood at 112 crore in April alone with 5% early bird offer this year compared to 81 crore in April 2021.
Explaining the GVMC’s progress in 2022, mayor G Hari Venkata Kumari said the GVMC hosted the world’s largest beach cleanup drive in August, which witnessed the participation of 22,000 people and made it to the record books.
“The GVMC scripted another record by creating awareness about the ill effects of single-use plastic among the two lakh schoolchildren and their parents. The city emerged as the fourth cleanest in the Swachh Survekshan-2022.
The GVMC is working on a mission to improve and provide better infrastructure and public amenities. Our efforts will be further increased in 2023 to enhance the public services,” said Hari Venkata Kumari.
GVMC commissioner P Raja Babu said the GVMC has renewed its focus on increasing its revenue sources.
“We could collect 67 crore more property tax in 2022 compared to last year. Even on the long-pending arrears front, several organisations paid 35 crore out of the 100 crore dues. Negotiations are on to collect the entire tax dues.
The GVMC will streamline its revenue generation by the end of this fiscal, including parking fees, shop leases, building plan approval charges, vacant land tax, etc. The GVMC will also explore new revenue generation avenues.
The GVMC’s expenditure on creation of infrastructure or amenities is being done in a scientific manner. The GVMC will harness its resources to provide better services to the public in 2023,’” said Raja Babu.