THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN WRIT PETITION Nos.2641 and 2698 of 2010 August 31, 2010 Between: Pasupuleti Venkateswarlu, S/o.late Nagabhushanam …Petitioner AND Guntur Municipal Corporation, represented by its Commissioner, Guntur And another …Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN WRIT PETITION Nos.2641 and 2698 of 2010 COMMON ORDER: (per Hon’ble Sri Ramesh Ranganathan) In both these writ petitions, the grievance espoused relates to remission of property tax payable on a lodge called the “Bhavani Lodge” at Guntur. It is the case of the petitioner that the said lodge is a three storeyed building, and he is residing in the third floor along with his family; prior to 2001, he was running the Bhavani Lodge in the first and second floors; as he was aged about 80 years, and due to ill- health, he had stopped doing so; and had represented to the Municipal authorities seeking remission of property tax for the first and second floors as they were vacant. The petitioner claims to have been submitted a representation on 30.4.2008 followed by four more representations despite which, at the insistence of the Municipal authorities, he had paid tax, upto March 2006, of Rs.2,23,445/-. His subsequent representations were also of no avail and he was required to pay tax, and he did so, for a sum of Rs.2,38,645/-. This was followed by a legal notice on 07.5.2008 seeking remission. The petitioner submits that, in as much as the Commissioner has the power to reduce the rateable value and the tax thereupon under Section 225(1)(c) of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955 (GHMC Act), his request for reduction in the rateable value, and consequently the property tax, should have been favourably considered. Sri V.Ch.Naidu, the learned Standing Counsel for Guntur Municipal Corporation, submits that it would suffice if this Court directs the Commissioner, Guntur Municipal Corporation (first respondent) to dispose of the representations submitted by the petitioner seeking reduction of the rateable value, and the property tax thereupon, under Section 225(1)(c) of GHMC Act. Sri J.Prabhakar, learned Counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner would make another representation within two weeks from today. In case such a representation is filed within the aforesaid period, the first respondent shall consider the same and pass orders thereupon in accordance with law within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the representation. The writ petitions are, accordingly, disposed of. No costs. __________________ (V.V.S.RAO, J) _______________________________ (RAMESH RANGANATHAN, J) August 31, 2010. YS