Hyderabad: Taj Banjara hotel seized for not paying Rs 1.43 Cr property tax
GHMC said the hotel management failed to reply to several notices to clear property tax dues
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy Published on 21 Feb 2025 10:51 AM IST
Hyderabad: GHMC seized Taj Banjara Hotel at Banjara Hills for failing to pay Rs 1.43 crore property tax of two years
Hyderabad: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has seized the Taj Banjara Hotel at Banjara Hills for failing to pay Rs 1.43 crore property tax in the previous two years.
GHMC said the hotel management failed to reply to several notices to clear tax dues. "With no option left, we seized the hotel on Friday after the management failed to respond to the red notice, which will be served to the defaulters, who have not been paying tax for more than two years," the GHMC officials said.
The hotel was previously part of the Taj GVK Group, but it is currently known as the Banjara Hotel.
With the fiscal year ending on March 31, the GHMC has decided to crack down on the city's property tax defaulters. According to official sources, the property owners reportedly owe the GHMC property tax dues to the tune of Rs 9,800 crore over the years from five lakh owners in the city.
Recently, GHMC Commissioner K Illambhariti directed the bill collectors to issue notices and also approach top defaulters and see that they clear the pending dues. He also asked all the additional commissioners to give top priority to collecting property taxes and achieve 100 percent collections by March 29.
GHMC aims to collect tax of Rs 2,200 crore by the end of this financial year. For this, the Commissioner asked the officials to constitute special teams, prepare action plans, and also conduct tax redressal and collections melas in their respective zones.
As per GHMC official estimates, around 12 lakh people are paying tax in total 23 lakh structures in the city. The GHMC collected Rs 320 crore for 1.08 lakh properties in the last financial year.
Banjara is one of the city's most prominent hotels. This five-star hotel in Banjara Hills is often bustling and popular with film buffs, the business community, politicians, and foreign visitors. Even cricketers stay at this hotel when there is a match in Hyderabad. Most people also prefer this hotel as it is suitable for party gatherings.
