Hyderabad: As the financial year comes to an end, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is taking stronger action against long-standing property tax defaulters. So far, more than 100 major commercial properties have been sealed and the GHMC aims to recover hundreds of millions of rupees in unpaid dues.According to the GHMC, more than 30,000 commercial establishments, from luxury hotels and retail chains to small corner stores, have not paid their taxes. The civic body is now targeting the worst offenders, sealing their premises to force them to pay.This follows multiple unanswered notices issued over the years. The high-profile cases include Hotel Katriya in Somajiguda, which remains sealed due to outstanding tax liabilities of Rs 6.16 crore, and Aurora College in Nampally, which owes Rs 1.28 crore.Several other properties have also been affected. A complex in Chappal Bazar, Amberpet, was sealed for owing Rs 4 lakh since 2013, and a commercial building in Attapur was sealed for owing Rs 11 lakh since 2021.The enforcement campaign appears to be yielding rapid results, with several companies clearing their dues almost immediately after facing action. Recently, for example, the Belson Taj hotel in Secunderabad paid its outstanding bill of Rs 35 lakh within minutes of it being sealed by the GHMC.GHMC expands its campaign to vacant landGHMC has expanded its tax collection drive to include vacant land and built-up properties. Sandesh Estates in Jubilee Hills, which owes Rs 4.45 crore, and Leela Ventures, which owes Rs 2.62 crore, are among the top defaulters. Authorities have warned that building permits for these properties will be withheld until outstanding payments have been made.“Non-payment could lead to action under the Revenue Recovery Act, including auction of properties. With just days to go before the end of fiscal year 2025-26, we urge defaulters to take advantage of the current One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, which offers 90% waiver of interest. Once the scheme ends on April 1, the outstanding dues will rise sharply,” said a senior official in the revenue wing of GHMC.Property tax arrears of three civic bodies reach Rs 4,000 croreMeanwhile, property tax collection in CURE (GHMC, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation) crossed Rs 2.3 billion. However, the three corporations fell short of Rs 4,000 crore in total property tax collection, which includes arrears from previous years.