Telangana News

The ACB records stated that, GHMC is the 3rd most corrupt body in Hyderabad after Transport and Electricity departments.

Since 2011, the ACB’s Hyderabad unit has arrested 24 corrupt GHMC officers,  mainly from Town Planning, Advertisement and Sanitation departments, and seized crores in property, cash, and jewellery from them.

Here's how the officials decide on bribe rates?

Allegedly, GHMC Town Planning officers charge Rs 50,000, out of which Rs 20,000 goes to the local corporators. A demolition notice will be issued once the planning inspector spots an unauthorized under-construction site and later a bribe is demanded from the builder. In case of demolition or seizure notices, Town Planning officers direct the builders to approach lawyers.

Based on the type of building (residential and commercial), number of floors in the structure, area of the site and the deviations, the bribe rates are fixed. For commercial structures, the bribe will be more and for residential, the rates depends on the deviations. 

“A section officer with the GHMC’s Circle 18 was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau while accepting a `2 lakh bribe for giving permission to build a commercial complex in Sitaphal Mandi in Secunderabad,” said a source.

However, the corrupt officials are let off with minor punishments such as censure or holding back of increment. Or, the charges are dropped on instructions of a minister. A total of 160 staffers have been charged in 110 cases being probed by Vigilance.