CPI(M) State secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao accused the Andhra Pradesh government of imposing an additional house‑tax burden of nearly ₹1,000 crore on urban residents, continuing the property‑value‑based system introduced by the previous YSRCP government.
Babu Rao said the capital‑value‑based property tax has increased house taxes by at least 15 % each year. The cumulative rise over six years has reached 131 %, and the coalition government added a further 30 % this year. He also alleged that penalties ranging from 25 % to 100 % are imposed for alleged building violations, and a 24 % penalty is collected for delayed payment.
The CPI(M) leader warned that the burden would fall on both tenants and property owners. He claimed the government plans to reintroduce waste charges through G.O. 673 after the municipal elections, which could allow leasing municipal assets for up to 99 years and the privatization of civic services. Tenders have already been invited for handing over internal roads in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam to private agencies under a public‑private partnership model.
Babu Rao demanded the repeal of the property‑value‑based tax system, the relevant amendments, and G.O. 198, and the withdrawal of G.O. 673. He urged voters to make tax burdens, civic amenities and privatization key issues in the forthcoming local‑body elections. He warned that CPI(M) would launch another round of agitation if the government fails to withdraw the increased house tax and plans to reintroduce waste charges.
