GHMC eyes a bounty from mapping property tax records with electricity connections

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s exercise to enhance property tax revenue by mapping the records with power connections could reap a windfall, if the initial results are any indication.

The corporation has realised over ₹1.3 crore recently through corrections in case of only a fraction of properties which have been changed from residential to commercial.

GHMC’s Revenue wing, in search of channels to streamline the records and improve annual revenue generation, had initiated an exercise to identify commercial establishments possessing residential property tax identification numbers (PTINs). As part of the exercise, the PTINs were being mapped with the electricity service connections (USCs) of the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company (TGSPDCL).

During phase I of the project, a total 97,000 residential PTINs have been found with non-residential USCs across the six zones of GHMC. Of these, 88,000 assessees have been issued notices so far.

“We have initiated this a couple of months ago, and as of now processing only PTINs with a 100% match with the USCs in terms of name, address etc. During the subsequent phase, we will focus on PTINs with less than 100% match,” said Anurag Jayanti, Additional Commissioner (Revenue).

The properties are being physically inspected for verification now, which has revealed 1,387 cases in which commercial ventures were being run with residential PTINs. The subsequent process of conversion from residential to commercial has yielded a revenue of ₹1.3 crore to the GHMC.

“This is an ongoing process carried out by the Deputy Commissioners and circle-level Revenue teams. After we complete all the 97,000 properties, we will proceed to the Phase II of the project,” Mr. Jayanti informed.