50% tax exemption for heritage buildings

HYDERABAD: People keen to construct building with a heritage look would be given 50 percent property tax exemption, according to GHMC officials. The Heritage Committee consisting of GHMC commissioner, MT Krishna Babu, tourism secretary, Jayesh Ranjan and managing director of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Sandeep Sultania met on Wednesday and said they will encourage people to come up with heritage buildings, for which GHMC would give 50 percent property tax exemption to identified heritage buildings. Jayesh Ranjan informed `1.51 crore was sanctioned for preservation of the Pathergatti stretch and asked officials to use the leftover money for LED electrification of four roads (Charminar-Laad Bazar, Charminar-Falaknuma, Charminar-Sardar Mahal and Charminar-Gulzar Houz). He also informed there should be no new constructions be taken up around the 300 m of any heritage monument and that Archaeological Survey of India can book cases. The government will be taking up renovation of Mahabub Chowk and Clock Tower. “Landscape work will be taken up at Qutubshahi tombs with walkways in the area and the Deccan Park will be restored,” Jayesh Ranjan said. Krishna Babu directed officials to complete the Charminar Pedestrain Project by March 2012. The signages on shops and establishments around CPP will be in English and Urdu. The bins around heritage monuments will be removed. On ASI’s request, the commissioner promised the existing toilet in south east side of Charminar will be repaired and a mobile toilet placed for public convenience.