llegations of Official Nexus in Dilsukhnagar
Special Correspondent | Hyderabad:
February 28: Vani vijayam,
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is under fire following revelations of a massive tax evasion racket in the Dilsukhnagar strategic commercial zone. While the civic body is often quick to penalize small-scale residential owners for minor violations, it has allegedly turned a blind eye to high-value commercial properties, resulting in a loss of crores to the state exchequer.
Despite specific evidence being submitted regarding the roles of certain officials, including Saroornagar Deputy Commissioner Bonagiri Srinivas, there has been a perceived lack of enforcement. Sources suggest that Zonal Commissioner Hemant Keshav Patil has yet to initiate decisive action, leading to allegations of “internal arrangements” between the builders and the authorities.
Discrepancies in Assessment
The investigation highlights three specific instances where the municipal treasury was bypassed through under-reporting and misclassification:
Case 1: Dual Ledger Tactics (Door Nos. 13-8-36/1 & 13-8-36)
Located behind Sairam Hospital, a massive building owned by a single individual reportedly enjoys a highly subsidized tax bracket. A significant portion of the structure—primarily large tin sheds used for commercial purposes—remains unassessed or classified as ‘residential.’ While the actual tax liability is estimated between ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2 lakh, the owner is currently paying a mere ₹46,168.
Case 2: The ‘Missing’ 11,000 Square Feet (Door Nos. 13-9-46/1/NR to 13-9-48/20/NR)
A sprawling complex near the Saibaba Temple, comprising approximately 10 door numbers, is at the center of a major area-concealment scam. Physical verification suggests a total built-up area of at least 30,000 sq. ft. (G+2 floors). However, official records reflect only 18,859 sq. ft. This discrepancy allows nearly 11,141 sq. ft. of premium commercial space to operate tax-free on the Dilsukhnagar main road.
Case 3: Alleged Administrative Favoritism (PTIN: 1031301113, 1039909688)
A property situated opposite Lotus Lap School has drawn scrutiny due to the alleged involvement of an Assistant Municipal Commissioner (AMC). It is claimed that the official leveraged his position to benefit associates by:
Excluding over 2,000 sq. ft. from tax records.
Utilizing residential Occupancy Certificates (OC) for full-scale commercial operations.
Deliberately omitting an entire floor from the records to waive off penalties.
Call for Accountability:
The contrast in enforcement—stringent for the common man and lenient for the influential—has sparked public outrage. Civic activists are now calling upon Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who holds the Municipal Administration portfolio, to intervene.
There is a growing demand for the Vigilance and Enforcement Department and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to launch a comprehensive probe into the “Vasool Raja” culture allegedly thriving within the Saroornagar and Malkajgiri circles. Failure to recover the evaded taxes with interest, experts warn, will further erode public trust in municipal governance.
