Acting tough against defaulters, municipal authorities in Hyderabad Tuesday sealed a leading shopping mall for failing to pay Rs.2.8 crore in property tax. However, a few hours later the mall paid Rs.1 crore to get the seal lifted.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Tuesday evening said that Hyderabad Central has paid Rs.1 crore towards property tax arrears and promised to clear the remaining dues within a week.

The shopping mall, which had not paid the arrears since 2006, came forward to pay the amount a few hours after GHMC sealed the mall, which has a chain of stores, cinema theatres and food joints.

The municipal body also issued notices to other malls, shopping complexes, shops and hotels as part of its drive to collect Rs.180 crore arrears towards property tax.

GHMC central zone commissioner K. Bhaskar told reporters that warrants and red notices were issued to defaulters. There are at least 10 people who have not paid their dues of over Rs.1 crore each. More than 400 property owners are due over Rs.5 lakh each to GHMC.

The official warned that the civic body would seize the property of all those who were not paying their property tax.