The Times of India             10.12.2013

NMC to tax cable TV operators

NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to levy tax on local cable operators for using its electric poles for laying cable lines in the city.

A proposal in this regard will be tabled at the NMC's next general body meeting. The civic body proposes to charge 50 paisa per day for each electric pole used by cable TV operators. The NMC has installed around 65,000 electric poles in the city.

A senior NMC official said, "The civic body had cut off the TV cables several times, but cable operators would again lay the cables on the poles. So we decided to levy tax on the cable operators."

The official added that the NMC expected to earn Rs 1.17 crore as revenue from the tax. "This money can be spent on maintenance and repair of streetlights," he said.

He further said that it would be mandatory for cable operators to register themselves with the municipal corporation if they wanted to use the poles. After acquiring permission, they will have to pay the tax immediately after the approval of the municipal corporation.

"The NMC will take action against the cable TV operators if they use municipal poles without permission," the official said.

Money from poles

• Proposed tax per day per pole: 50 paisa

• No of electric poles: 65,000

• Expected revenue: Rs 1.17 crore