Hyderabad: The Telangana govt, which has decided to revise govt land rates for property registration starting in April, plans to invite objections and suggestions from the public by allowing a two-week window. A formal notification is expected to be issued in the first week of April.
The last revision of land rates took place in 2022 under the previous BRS govt. However, it faced criticism for being implemented unilaterally, without assessing ground realities or seeking public input. The revision applied a uniform increase of 10% to 30% on existing rates without considering location-specific factors. To address these concerns, the present govt aims to gather public feedback and rectify anomalies.
Discrepancies in rates
Official sources highlighted significant discrepancies between govt registration values and prevailing market rates. For example, in Kokapet, flats are sold by developers at Rs 10,000 per sq ft, while the govt registration value remains at Rs 3,000 per sq ft.
In Gachibowli, govt values range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 per sq ft, whereas market prices are significantly higher. In Bachupally, govt registration value for flats is Rs 2,000 per sq ft, while new apartment prices range between Rs 7,000 and Rs 8,000 per sq ft and in Mokila, the govt rate for apartment registration is Rs 2,000 per sq ft.
“In these areas, the variation between govt registration values and market rates is significant, and this will be corrected accordingly. However, in some areas like Ghatkesar, where the govt registration value for flats is Rs 2,000 per sq ft, the increase will be minimal,” a senior official from the registration and stamps department told TOI.
The govt is not solely focused on increasing rates; it also plans to reduce them in certain areas based on public feedback. Officials have received complaints from residents of Sringar Colony and Chirag Ali Lane, where govt rates for flats are currently higher than those in Madhapur and Gachibowli. In such cases, rates will be reduced. Meanwhile, areas like Ghatkesar will see minimal adjustments.
Land rate revisions
“Before 2013, the govt sought public input before revising land rates. However, the BRS govt abandoned this practice and imposed rate hikes unilaterally. The Congress govt is committed to following proper procedures, even if it takes additional time,” a senior official said.
The registration department has been working on revising land values for over six months. Sub-registrars have been instructed to collect data from real estate developers, analyse advertisements in newspapers, and conduct field verifications to minimise the gap between govt rates and actual market prices.
