The New Indian Express 31.08.2010
Palike conjures up new taxes
BANGALORE: With an effort to increase the revenue of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP), Chairman of the Finance and Taxation committee P N Sadashiva presented many new initiatives in the budget to reduce the financial burden of the Palike.He announced the an advertisement tax would be levied and with it the Palike hopes to mop up revenues of Rs 100 crore in the current financial year. The BBMP was able to realise only Rs 17.00 crore through advertisement tax in 2009-10.
Sadashiva said efforts would be taken to stop unauthorised hoardings and legal action would be taken against violators. Action would be taken against owners of the land who give permission for such illegal activities, he added.
Sadashiva stated that Rs 107.00 crore would be raised by introducing ‘online’ renewal system of trade licensing.
The Palike has decided to levy an “improvement charge” on new and private layouts and expects to net Rs 120.00 crore from it.
Another major source of revenue for the BBMP is the money realised by way of rent on leased property, ground rent on markets, fees and fines in respect of building licenses, road cutting, charges levied on lying utilities and others. For the current fiscal, the Palike hopes to mop up Rs 701 crore from this head. Installation of towers and dish antennae for commercial use would attract taxation. An annual fee will also be levied on private electrical transformers installed on BBMP Properties.
