HYDERABAD: The state government has announced a 50 percent reduction in property tax in the state. The refund will be applied to those paying taxes of up to Rs 15,000 per year in the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) metropolitan area and up to Rs 10,000 in other municipalities. The decision is expected to benefit nearly 13 lakh of homeowners in the city limits.
The municipal administration minister, KT Rama Rao, announced the tax relief as a Diwali gift on Saturday. He said the tax refund would be applicable for the 2020-21 financial year.
Rama Rao said that if property tax owners have already paid taxes for this year, the amount (50 percent balance) will be adjusted in the next financial year. It should be recalled that the government had extended the property tax allowance during the last elections in 2016, so those who paid up to Rs 1,000 in taxes per year paid only Rs 101.
Rama Rao said the government would continue to disburse Rs 10,000 in relief to the victims of the recent floods in the Greater Hyderabad area. He called on people to register their names at Mee Seva centers and provide bank details to take advantage of the benefit.
Apart from this, the state government also improved the monthly salaries of sanitation workers from Rs 14,500 to Rs 17,500 in recognition of their services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tax refund was reportedly granted in light of subsequent elections to GHMC. The State Elections Commission (SEC) has already initiated the electoral arrangements and notification is expected soon.
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