The Deccan Herald 08.12.2010
Skywalk advertisement deal to be ‘revised’
Bangalore, December 7, DHNS:
In the face of severe criticism for renting out the skywalk near Sophia School for advertisement to a private firm for a song, the BBMP has decided to revisit the contract. The skywalk had been rented out for Rs 10,000 per month, when it could fetch up nearly Rs eight lakh.
The leader of the Opposition in the BBMP Council, M Nagaraj, who alleged a nexus between officials and contractors in awarding the contract at throwaway rates, wants the BBMP to scrap the deal. According to Nagaraj, the contract was awarded without auction. Originally, the skywalk was to come up on 30th Cross, Jayanagar. Since a bus stop came up at the said location, the skywalk was shifted near Sophia School.
Nagaraj alleged that the shifting was in violation of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, as advertisements could not be shifted from their original locations, given that the rates varied from place to place.
It is also learnt that the BBMP is planning to remove the skywalk from near the Sophia School, following the controversies. Mayor S K Nataraj and the chairperson of the standing committee on Tax and Finance, have sought files pertaining to the agreement that the BBMP entered into with the advertisers.
