Telangana Offers Property Tax Relief with One-Time Scheme; UK First Class Stamp Price to Rise to £1.70

Telangana's government introduced a One-Time Scheme (OTS) to alleviate property tax burdens in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) jurisdiction. Property owners can clear dues up to the 2024-25 financial year by paying the principal amount plus 10% of the accumulated interest, receiving a 90% waiver on the remaining interest. Taxpayers who have already paid dues up to March will have 90% of the interest and penalties adjusted against future payments. The scheme applies to all properties under GHMC jurisdiction. The GHMC also organized a Property Tax Solution (PTP) program to resolve tax-related grievances. In the UK, the price of a first-class stamp will increase to £1.70 on April 7, a 3% or 5p rise. Second-class stamps will also increase by 2p to 87p. International Distribution Services (IDS), Royal Mail's owner, cited increasing delivery costs as the reason. Citizens Advice criticized the move, calling it 'yet another blow to consumers'. The price hikes come amid plans to reduce second-class deliveries and overall delivery frequency, subject to an Ofcom consultation.