GHMC seals Hyderabad Central, nets Rs one crore

HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Tuesday sealed the Hyderabad Central, located in the busy Punjagutta area, as the owner of the shopping complex, SBPL Infrastructure, GSG Group, failed to clear property tax dues to the tune of Rs 2.8 crore accumulated since 2006.Later, GHMC withdrew the warrant for the time being after the property owner paid Rs 1 crore and gave an undertaking to the effect that the remaining amount would be paid within a week, according to GHMC Central Zone Commissioner Katamaneni Bhaskar.The GHMC officials, apart from sealing the mall, had also closed the PVR multiplex and seized movable properties including computers, servers, furnitures and other materials. Bhaskar said the move was in accordance with the HMC Act. ‘‘The GHMC, during the last three years, had been issuing notices and warrants to the property owner. GHMC bill collectors and tax inspectors had also approached the owner with a request to clear pending dues. As there was no response, the GHMC was forced to seal the shopping complex,’’ Bhaskar said.Hyderabad Central authorities clarified that the issue regarding the property tax payment was between the civic authorities and the property owners. Hyderabad Central is not responsible for what had happened. It will function as usual, they said.

from expressbuzz.com