BBMP pins hopes on govt to okay revenue models

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is hoping that the State government, which is at the fag end of its tenure, will approve policies that bring in the much-needed moolah.

It expects that the new optical fibre cable (OFC) rates, pending approval for long, get the nod in the next Cabinet meeting. It is also expecting the government’s consent for the renewed advertisement policy and the penal clauses for solid waste management.

But Palike officials are not too confident that the SWM penal clauses will be okayed, with Assembly elections round the bend. The clauses levy a hefty penalty for non-segregation of garbage, urinating in public and burning of garbage, apart from penalties for various other SWM offences.

However, Muneendra Kumar, Chairman of the Taxation and Finance Standing Committee, said he was optimistic.

“With only Rs 150 being levied as fine for failing to segregate garbage, we are hoping that it will be approved by the government,” he said.

Penalty

The BBMP has fixed a penalty of Rs 750 per km for ‘unauthorised’ OFC cables in the City. The Palike hopes to net Rs 200 crore in the next financial year, if the OFC policy is approved. “We may even get Rs three crore per month as revenue from the OFC policy, if approved,” he said.

Meanwhile, BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah visited the East and Mahadevapura zones on Sunday. “The Palike has set March as the deadline for collecting a minimum of Rs 2,000 crore in the form of property tax for 2012- 2013. Hence, all officers should work towards it. Reverification of all properties will be done,” he told officials.

Siddaiah who carried out an inspection at various places of the city such as BTM Layout, Jayanagar, J P Nagar , Wilson Garden, K R Puram among others ordered the BBMP officials to remove the hoardings, banners and flex boards.

“Inspite of the high court interventions against unauthorized illegal hoardings in public places and drives conducted by us; people and various organizations continue to deface the public spaces by putting up the promotional advertisements and bill boards. Due to them, the Palike is undergoing loss and we won’t allow any such kind of things from now on,” Siddaiah said.