Telangana HC Orders State to Release Rs 40 Crore in Property Tax Charges to Secunderabad Cantonment Board
The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to release Rs 40 crore in property tax transfer (TPT) charges to the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB), following a writ petition filed by the board’s nominated member. This ruling addresses the longstanding issue of delayed TPT payments, which had been hampering the SCB’s ability to execute essential infrastructure projects and provide services to residents.
The order marks a significant win for the cantonment board, as the total amount received now stands at nearly Rs 90 crore, out of an estimated Rs 100 crore due. Prior to this, SCB had received Rs 48 crore in March 2024. The delay in the transfer of these charges arose after the formation of Telangana, with the state government changing the payment process, which previously allowed direct transfers from the registration and stamps department to the SCB.
The delay has caused considerable financial strain on the cantonment, halting several development works and maintenance services. J Ramakrishna, the SCB’s nominated member who filed the petition, emphasized the importance of the ruling: “The delay in TPT transfers has impacted our ability to carry out development work and provide basic amenities to residents.” With the release of this Rs 40 crore, the SCB hopes to clear pending bills and resume stalled projects. However, the board is still awaiting the remaining dues and hopes the state government will establish a more streamlined and efficient transfer mechanism for future payments. SCB CEO Madhukar Naik confirmed the court’s order and further explained, “From 2017, the money was being redirected to the state’s central treasury, and from 2020 onwards, our dues were not being cleared. This, coupled with the abolition of OCTROI taxes, has severely impacted our financial resources and development efforts.”
