GHMC losing 100 cr annually on estate wing

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had been losing Rs 100 crore annually on estate properties and vacant lands across the city. According to sources, the civic body has more than 6,000 properties, but the GHMC officials have been collecting rent from mere 3,000 properties.

According to official, the civic body has been collecting rent from 2,270 market stalls and 720 shopping complexes. Besides this, the GHMC has been collecting rent from 86 lands which have been leased to private agencies. However, highly- placed sources in the corporation said that the GHMC had failed in bringing 3,000 properties under its control from the clutches of local leaders. The properties have a potential to generate Rs 100 crore, the source added.

When asked about the same, a senior GHMC official told The Hans India that the corporation has embarked on a survey to identify the leased properties and lands citing irregularities in the estate wing. He said GHMC had already identified 40 per cent additional properties which have been missing from GHMC records. He said the civic body would identify all the properties by October 3.

The GHMC official further said the civic body would geotag the properties and lands and would upload their details on the GHMC website after identifying them. He said if all the properties are brought under GHMC radar than the revenue of the estate wing will be enhanced to Rs 100 crore. He said the civic body would issue eviction notices to all leased properties which are above 25 years old and would call for open auction according to the current market value.