HYDERABAD: Paying property tax is often seen as a burden by citizens – and collecting it is no less challenging for civic bodies. To ease this pressure on both ends, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) introduced an incentive-based initiative: the Early Bird scheme. This move has paid off handsomely, with GHMC collecting a record ₹876 crore in property taxes within just one month.
For the financial year 2025–26, GHMC offered a 5% rebate to property owners who paid their annual tax dues during April. Encouraged by the discount, a large number of residents in the Greater Hyderabad area cleared their dues promptly, significantly boosting early revenue inflows for the civic body.
GHMC officials revealed that last year’s Early Bird drive had yielded ₹831 crore, meaning this year’s collection saw an increase of ₹45 crore. Remarkably, on the final day of the scheme – Wednesday, 30 April alone – ₹77 crore was collected, underscoring the strong public response.
The success of the scheme not only relieves financial strain on GHMC but also sets a model for other urban bodies seeking to enhance revenue through timely public engagement and incentives. With rising urban development and infrastructure demands, such initiatives may become key to maintaining city finances and services.
