Telangana’s CURE-2026 Act is set to replace the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), with the state government releasing the draft law on Sunday and inviting feedback from the public and experts until July 24. A copy of the draft bill has been made available on the GHMC website, where a “Proceed to Feedback” link at the bottom of the webpage opens an application through which citizens can submit their opinions and suggestions directly to the government. After seven decades, the GHMC Act is being replaced by the new CURE law.
Core provisions of the existing law — covering corporations, standing committees, commissioners, ward committees, elections, borrowing powers, property tax assessment, and animal welfare — will continue largely unchanged. However, the new law provides for transgender representation in corporations for the first time and removes certain corporator disqualification clauses that existed earlier.
Property tax is set to rise under the new framework, as the current rental-value-based assessment used in old Greater Hyderabad will be replaced by the land-value-based system already in effect across municipalities statewide. This shift is expected to significantly increase tax liability for many property owners within the old GHMC limits.
For integrated governance, a CURE Apex Governance Council and Executive Committee will be formed under the Chief Minister, along with dedicated bodies for HYDRAA, disaster management, traffic, climate change, food safety, gender equality, heritage protection, and labour welfare. A CURE Smart Governance Centre will also be set up for rapid, digitally coordinated response during disasters, along with a CURE Appellate Authority for grievance redressal.
The draft further proposes heavy fines for illegal construction, faster building permits, a unified trade license covering all types of businesses, and new guidelines to expand the night economy. The state government aims to incorporate public feedback and introduce the bill in the upcoming Assembly session for approval, replacing the existing GHMC Act of 1955. The draft is available at https://ghmc.gov.in/categoryWiseInsertReport.aspx.