BANGALORE: Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi issued a show-cause notice to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner asking him to appear before him on November 7.
Justice Adi has sought an explanation as to why action should not be initiated against BBMP officials for negligence and huge loss to the civic body in removing hoardings, flexes, banners, etc in the city.
Justice Adi was hearing a complaint filed by Eagle Eye Enforcemnt Solutions which alleged that BBMP is spending more than Rs 2 crore for removal of unauthorized hoardings, boards, flexes and banners.
The petitioner alleged that as per records, BBMP had engaged some agencies, by paying them Rs 2 crore, for removal of unauthorised advertisements.
Out of eight BBMP divisions, these agencies have come forward to undertake removal of hoardings, flexes, etc., on only three divisions.
Stating that the BBMP is losses to the tune of over Rs 100 crore by way of loss of revenue from penalties, the complainant submitted that they would undertake removal of unauthorised hoardings, banners, etc., and collect the penalty and advertisement tax from owners or agencies of such anauthorised hoardings. The petitioner company also said it would retain 50 per cent of the penalty so collected towards removal charges and remit the rest to BBMP.
The proposal was approved by all BBMP committees and the council, but not further action was taken. There are more than 20,000 unauthorised hoardings and some people are benefitting from the Palike’s incation, the petitioner contended.
The company said around Rs 400-450 crore can be generated by way of taxes from advertisements every year, but BBMP is getting only Rs 18-19 crore.
If entrusted with the tastk, the company can give Rs 50 crore per year to BBMP through collection of penalties, the petition said.