After losing substantial revenue on account of hoardings, Sambalpur
Municipality has finally woken up from its slumber and initiated a drive
to remove illegal hoardings. While 11 hoardings have been removed in
last two days, the drive will continue till all the illegal hoardings
are removed.
According to reports, contract for hoardings in the
town was awarded to a firm in 2011-2012 fiscal at `2,85,745 and the
contract expired on March 31, 2012. Subsequently, a tender was floated
for 2012-2013 fiscal. While a firm from Rourkela quoted `45,20,000, an
agency from Bhubaneswar quoted `21,10,000 and an agency from Sambalpur
quoted `19,99,000. Although the tenders were opened on April 20 last
year, the contract could not be finalised for reasons better known to
the Municipality authorities which continues to sit over the issue
incurring huge revenue loss.
In absence of any contractor, putting
up hoardings under the Municipality’s jurisdiction has become free. Any
one who wishes to use 84 frames in the town for advertising his
products can do so without making any payment to the municipality.
According
to sources, about 20 councillors including last vice-chairman Siddharth
Saha had written in this regard to the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) Department demanding a probe into the delay in
finalising the tender. They cited huge loss of revenue to the
Municipality on account of delay and demanded stern action against
Municipal officials. But there has been no response from the department.
However,
in a belated move, Executive Officer of the Municipality Aniruddha
Pradhan has initiated steps to remove the illegal hoardings. “The drive
has been launched from Jail Chowk area. All the illegal hoardings would
be removed except those for which the fee has already been paid,” said
Pradhan.
He said the Municipality has decided not to sublet the
hoardings and will lease out the frames on its own by taking payment in
advance. But, doubts have been raised on the decision in view of the
Municipality’s lackadaisical attitude so far.
