Tax collection in municipal corporations in the country has seen a quantum jump during November, thanks to the demonetisation move of the government.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) tops the list with tax collection of ₹208 crore, followed by Ahmedabad (₹187 core) and Kalyan (₹170 crore).

Fifty-nine cities collected tax revenues of ₹1,722 crore during November, as against ₹489 crore (which includes dues) in the same period last year.

Other cities that recorded big jumps in collections include the Mumbai (₹167 crore), New Delhi Municipal Corporation (₹84 crore) and Chennai (₹80 crore).

With the Finance Ministry allowing payment of municipal taxes and utility bills in the demonetised ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes up to November 24, people have come forward to use up the notes with them and pay up taxes and utility bills.

For instance, in Hyderabad the payment of water and electricity bills too has risen. The increase, however, does not seem too significant as these bills are paid every month.

As of November 24, the GHMC had collected over ₹200 crore with ₹27 crore coming in on November 24 alone. The amount collected was about ₹100 crore more than in the same period last year, sources said.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the pattern was similar in other major cities too.

Significantly, this payment window has helped corporations, water boards and utilities to collect money due to them too.

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