SYSTEMIC FAILURE | Massive revenue leaks in tax assessments, rampant illegal constructions, and lack of accountability plague LB Nagar, Saroornagar, and Hayathnagar circles.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, APRIL 5
The newly formed Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC), which branched out from the GHMC, is facing a severe crisis of credibility. The LB Nagar Zone has reportedly morphed into a hotbed of administrative irregularities and financial malpractice. Despite public outcry and direct confrontations by local legislators regarding official apathy, the zonal administration remains indifferent, leading to what locals describe as a “total collapse of the civic system.”
Revenue Leakage and the ‘Tax Mafia’
The Revenue Department is under fire for allegedly facilitating massive losses to the state exchequer through “under-the-table” settlements. In a glaring instance within the Hayathnagar Circle, a commercial property facing a potential penalty of ₹30 lakh was reportedly “settled” by officials for a mere ₹10 lakh bribe. By bypassing standard assessment protocols and re-categorizing commercial hubs as low-tax zones, officials are accused of prioritizing personal gain over public revenue.
Town Planning: A Haven for Illegalities:
The Town Planning wing is facing allegations of rendering the “Build Now” and “TG-bPASS” systems ineffective. Transparency has taken a backseat as residential permits are being flagrantly misused for commercial ventures.
Case in Point: Along the Saroornagar HUDA Complex main road, multi-storied commercial structures are rising on the strength of only two permits, with officials allegedly turning a blind eye.
Zoning Violations: In Vanasthalipuram and B.N. Reddy Nagar, shopping malls are being constructed on plots officially sanctioned for residential use. Activists claim that despite submitting evidence-backed complaints, files remain suppressed due to high-level collusion.
Public Health and Sanitation Crisis:
The Entomology and Sanitation departments have drawn the ire of both citizens and representatives. The mosquito menace in the zone reached such a peak that local MLA Sudheer Reddy voiced his frustration in the Telangana State Assembly, highlighting the zone’s failure to maintain basic hygiene. Residents complain that while taxes are collected diligently, the health of the public is being gambled away by negligent staff.
Administrative Vacuum in LB Nagar Circle:
Governance in the LB Nagar Circle has reportedly hit a standstill, exacerbated by the prolonged absence of the Deputy Commissioner, who is reportedly on leave. This administrative vacuum has emboldened illegal developers, resulting in unauthorized constructions sprouting in almost every lane.
Accountability Under Question:
Questions are being raised regarding the silence of the Zonal Commissioner. Critics point out:
STF Inactivity: The Special Task Force (STF), designed to demolish illegal structures, has remained largely defunct.
RTI Subversion: Applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act are frequently met with evasive or misleading replies, shielding corrupt officials from public scrutiny.
Delayed Approvals: While new municipal laws mandate swift clearances, building files are reportedly kept pending for days, allegedly to exert pressure on applicants for “commissions.”
Public Demand for Intervention:
Local residents and civic activists have issued a formal demand to Malkajgiri Municipal Commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy, Municipal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, and Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development (CM Revanth Reddy) to intervene. They have called for a high-level probe into the “unholy nexus” between lower-level staff and illegal developers to restore the integrity of the LB Nagar Municipal Zone.
