HYDERABAD: The Government has directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to form special squads to identify commercial complexes that have either evaded the property tax net totally or have been underassessed so that its revenues could be mopped up.

The GHMC will take up all the civic works by utilising its own resources, which can be increased by bringing the unassessed and underassessed properties into the tax net, and also with grants from the Centre and State Governments, said the Minister for Municipal Administration, K. Ranga Rao.

He was addressing a press conference after holding a marathon meeting with GHMC officials, including Commissioner C.V.S.K. Sarma, Additional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of the erstwhile municipalities on various civic issues here on Tuesday.

Directive to officials

The Minister said that officials had been told be prepared to tackle any emergencies and inundation during the rainy season in the days ahead so that people are put to minimum inconvenience.

Emergency teams have been formed, all the major stormwater drains are being desilted and all 50,000 manholes would be inspected for repairs.

Mr. Rao and his Cabinet colleagues wanted the highest priority to be accorded to health and sanitation so that all the suburbs too are on a par with the core MCH area. Slum improvement and more 25 paise loans to self-help groups were the other issues GHMC was asked to concentrate on.

Development plans

The Minister reiterated the Government's resolve to develop the city on the lines of Singapore and Shanghai with several infrastructure projects under way like the Outer Ring Road, Musi Conservation Project, special package for the old city and so on. Substantial progress was made in the implementation of these projects.

He also announced that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would lay the foundation for the prestigious Hyderabad Metro Rail in October.

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