“Hyderabad Citizen-Friendly Payment Platforms”
Hyderabad, September 14, 2024: The Telangana government has unveiled a new initiative to streamline the payment of property taxes and water bills in the Greater Hyderabad region. Under this proposal, citizens will be allowed to pay property taxes and water bills in easy monthly installments, similar to the method used for power bills. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Water Board will oversee the implementation, based on directives from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
Currently, GHMC collects property taxes either every six months or annually, while water bills are charged to residents consuming over 20,000 liters. However, the government aims to reduce the financial strain on citizens by introducing a monthly payment system for property taxes, water bills, and garbage collection charges.
Revenue and Pending Dues
Official sources estimate that the Telangana government generates approximately ₹1,500 crore annually through property taxes in Hyderabad alone. Despite this, a significant portion remains pending, with an estimated ₹500 crore in unpaid dues each year. The new system is expected to improve timely collection by spreading the payment burden throughout the year. By making it easier for residents to manage their financial obligations, the government hopes to reduce the backlog of unpaid taxes and increase overall compliance.
Citizen-Friendly Payment Platforms
The proposed system will leverage modern technology to make payments more convenient for residents. An online platform will be developed, allowing citizens to pay property taxes and water bills through various digital payment methods, including Unified Payments Interface (UPI), ensuring that the payment process is seamless and efficient.
To encourage timely payments, the government is also considering offering incentives such as discounts or concessions for residents who pay their taxes and bills on time. Additionally, a fixed deadline will be set for monthly payments, with penalties for late payments, similar to the fines imposed for delayed electricity bill payments.
Long-Term Benefits
In a recent meeting, CM Revanth Reddy emphasized that simplifying the tax and bill payment system would not only reduce the burden on consumers but also increase revenue for the state. The initiative is expected to boost collection efficiency, especially since the Land Regularisation Scheme (LRS) is also being integrated into the system. Revenues from LRS will be deposited directly into the accounts of the Municipal Corporation, further streamlining the revenue generation process.
By adopting this citizen-friendly approach, the Telangana government is looking to enhance the efficiency of its revenue collection while offering relief to taxpayers through easy monthly installments.
