Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 30: With a view to giving a boost to its depleting revenue, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Tuesday revised its advertisement tax slab — nine years after it was last increased. The proposed rates would be implemented from New Year.
The decision was taken during the last corporation meeting chaired Tuesday by Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena in the presence of municipal commissioner Krishan Kumar. Several key civic services-related decisions were taken during the meeting.
According to proposed tax slab, those putting up commercial advertisement hoardings upto 400sq ft and above will have to cough up around `110 and `135 per sq ft respectively per year. Similarly, for advertisements on glow sign board fixed on the shop, the charge is `90 per sq ft per year and for umbrellas and helium balloons it is `270 per month.
For video display in public places, BMC would charge around `4,500 per screen per month per spot. “We are contemplating to augment the annual advertisement revenue from the existing `12crore to `15crore so that civic services can be improved,” BMC deputy secretary Subhranshu Mishra said.
During the meeting, corporators demanded that BMC ensured civic amenities at Salia Sahi— home to over two lakh slum dwellers, spread over five wards. Notably, BMC has been unable to ensure adequate development in Salia Sahi as it is a forest kism (type) land. For all infrastructure development, the state requires nod from the ministry of forests and environment.
The BMC commissioner has also decided to appoint a firm to re-design bus shelters under Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA). “Bus shelters would have better amenities on the lines of Delhi’s shelters which are passenger-friendly,” Krishan Kumar told Orissa POST.
BMC will rope in a firm for overall management of Jatri Niwas guest house. “There will be more transparency in allocating rooms of Jatri Niwas,” the mayor said.
