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Taxation

City Corp sees a ‘treasure’ on mobile towers

Saturday, 20 February 2010 11:01 administrator
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The New Indian Express 20.02.2010

City Corp sees a ‘treasure’ on mobile towers

Express News Service

 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The City Corporation is all set to keep an eye on the mushrooming of mobile towers in the city. To begin with, it has decided to collect property tax for mobile towers.

The Council that met here on Friday approved the agenda of the Finance Standing Committee to remit Rs 25,000 a year for a mobile tower, modelling on the Property Tax Rules 2009 existent in Bangalore city.

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation had so far not fixed any rates as property tax for mobile towers. Deputy Mayor V. Jayaprakash said that earlier, the Centre had revised norms in such a way as to collect Rs one lakh per year from BSNL and Rs 2 lakh per year from private service providers. But this verdict was given a stay by the Supreme Court, after which Rs 25,000 was decided as the yearly rate. Karnataka has implemented property tax in this method in its urban planning manual, which Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will model on.

The request of some councillors to set up a committee to inquire into the environmental and health hazards of mobile towers was turned down by the Mayor, citing lack of the Corporation’s expertise in the area. ``However, the concern of the councillors on the sprouting of mobile towers in every ward will be informed to the State Government,’’ Mayor C. Jayan Babu said.

He also said that the Corporation would look into the unauthorised setting up of mobile towers in the city. Many councillors said that a big revenue loss is happening to the Corporation income due to lack of a proper rule to collect tax for setting up mobile towers.

‘NO’ TO FILM SHOOTING

The Council also decided to say ‘no’ to film and serial-makers who approach it asking permission to use the parks owned by the Corporation for shooting purposes. The Mayor said that the local body has been spending huge amounts on the renovation of parks. Moreover, Corporation parks are meant for the common public who could use it for strolls and recreation. Giving them out for shooting would prove a menace to the public, the Mayor said.

OLD BUILDINGS

The Corporation is thinking of ways to count the old buildings in the city which need immediate restoration, Jayan Babu said. The shortage of engineers in the Town Planning Department has affected the planning of any steps in this direction, he said. The Corporation has taken two engineers from Trida on a working arrangement to fill the gap, the Mayor added.

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 February 2010 11:05
 

TDP holds demo against hike in taxes

Saturday, 20 February 2010 01:56 administrator
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The Hindu 20.02.2010

TDP holds demo against hike in taxes

 

Staff Reporter

‘Common man already burdened by spiralling prices of essentials’

 

No need for hike in property tax, say party leaders

Tax exemption to Gangavaram port opposed

Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam

Making a point: TDP district convener Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu distributing pamphlets during the party’s protest at the Jagadamba Juction on Friday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Telugu Desam activists staged a demonstration at Jagadamba junction on Friday in protest against the steep hike in municipal taxes. The protest was led by TDP district unit convener Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Telugu Mahila leader Vani and party corporators. They denounced the 50 per cent hike in property tax at a time when the common man was already overburdened by the spiralling prices of essential commodities.

They said the annual property tax for a house before Visakhapatnam became Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) in 2005 was Rs. 233. It was hiked to Rs.748 after 2006 and after March 31 this year it would become Rs. 1,122. They noted that the area of the corporation before 2005 was 110 square km and after it became GVMC its area increased to 533 sq. kms.

The increase in area would mean a corresponding increase in revenue. Industries and SEZ s were expected to contribute two per cent of their net profits to the local bodies for development. Even if they contributed one per cent, it would amount to Rs.248 crores. Taking all these into consideration there was no need for a hike in property tax. The tax exemption given to Gangavaram Port was depriving the GVMC of an annual income of Rs.10 crores.

The party workers distributed pamphlets to passers-by giving figures of the hike in taxes and the various options available to the GVMC to increase its revenue without taxing the people.

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 February 2010 01:58
 

PCMC plans hefty fines for water tax evaders

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:48 administrator
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Indian Express 17.02.2010

PCMC plans hefty fines for water tax evaders

Tags : corporation, PCMC Posted: Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010 at 0323 hrs
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is planning to fine water tax evaders by asking them to pay up to ten times the amount of their bill.

It may be recalled that the PCMC had initiated the process of installing meters in the municipal corporation jurisdiction around four years ago at a cost of Rs 40 crore. The contractor installing the meters is also responsible for maintenance and would have to replace or repair meters free of cost in case of any glitch.

But in January 2008, the municipal corporation had decided that PCMC personnel would note the meter readings. The residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad were opposed to the move, following which the PCMC administration had assured citizens that the water supply situation would improve once the meters were installed. However, the corporation is yet to complete the installation of meters across the township.

Corporators said the problem has cropped up as residents have been complaining of receiving 'inflated' bills and have refused to pay. Thus, the corporation is now planning to levy a fine from residents who oppose the installation of meters and also from those who fail to pay their dues. PCMC officials have also appealed to citizens to approach the ward offices concerned if they have any complaint regarding water bills.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:51
 
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