TS CM pitches for fresh proposals on property tax
In a significant move, Telangana government has decided to revisit Property Tax being implemented in municipal corporations and municipalities in ten districts. Further, a Cabinet Sub-committee will be constituted to study issues plaguing local bodies in ten districts and later submit report to government.
Hyderabad: In a significant move, Telangana government has decided to revisit Property Tax being implemented in municipal corporations and municipalities in ten districts. Further, a Cabinet Sub-committee will be constituted to study issues plaguing local bodies in ten districts and later submit report to government.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao held a day-long meeting with mayors, municipal chairpersons, special officers and engineers of Public Health Department at Haritha Plaza in Hyderabad on Saturday. Rao’s cabinet colleagues namely-Thummala Nageshwara Rao, T Harish Rao, Indrakaran Reddy, Jogu Ramanna, Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma, Principal Secretary (MAUD) M G Gopal and senior officials attended.
Rao has issued directions to concerned authorities to prepare fresh proposals on property tax. The government is of the opinion that major disparities exist in property tax rates in local bodies across the state. Moreover, tariffs and tax slabs in implementation at present were fixed several decades ago and they needed a relook again. Accordingly, verification and rationalization of properties will be taken up on priority basis in the coming months.
Property Tax contributes a major chunk to the budget of local bodies and the proposed verification drive is set to fill coffers to ensure development activities are taken up without financial constraints. Among other things, Rao pointed out that his government was committed to build houses with an area of 560 square feet for each of the urban poor families in ten districts.
He stated that government would take steps to supply 135 litres of water per person every day in ten districts. He asked elected representatives and officials to prepare proposals of requirement for vegetable and meat markets, parks, dumping yards and burial grounds. Rao said that commissioners who excel in duties would be given auxillary promotions.
Also a new legislation would be introduced so that no-confidence is not moved, he added. He directed municipalities to take steps to collect entertainment taxes in their jurisdiction without fail and also install LED lighting to save power. Rao also said that local bodies would be given permission to buy tractors for transportation and dumping of wastage.
