Now Reading: CURE Act replaces GHMC Act, property tax to double in Hyderabad
-
01
CURE Act replaces GHMC Act, property tax to double in Hyderabad
The Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Act, 2026, or CURE Act, came into force on 2 October, replacing the GHMC Act, 1955. It governs the three municipal corporations in the CURE area: GHMC, Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation, and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC).
Property tax shifts from the Annual Rental Value system to the Capital Value System, calculated as a percentage of the registration guideline value. This is expected to double tax on some properties, especially in the CMC where values are higher. The Act also removes elected councils' role in tax revisions, any increase in guideline values will automatically raise tax. New assessments will use the revised system, and it may extend to already-assessed properties from FY2027-28.
The Act prohibits transfer of properties with unauthorised constructions and bars utility connections to properties without an occupancy certificate. Powers of the Mayor and elected members are curbed, an Apex Governance Council chaired by the Chief Minister and an Executive Committee will oversee governance. An Advertisements Regulatory Committee will handle advertisement permissions.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The CURE Act transfers control over property tax from elected local bodies to state-appointed committees, reducing the Mayor's role. Property owners in high-value areas like Cyberabad will face steep tax hikes, as tax is tied to registration values that the government can raise without council approval. The ban on transferring unauthorised structures and on providing utilities without occupancy certificates could freeze transactions and construction in large parts of the city. Citizens can appeal to a new CURE Appellate Authority, but the mechanism's effectiveness is untested. The immediate impact will be on new assessments, the extension to existing properties from FY2027-28 remains a decision pending.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
