SAMBALPUR: The drive launched by the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) to prevent unauthorised advertisements in the city has started paying dividend.
Deputy Commissioner of SMC Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi said they have set a target to collect `68 lakh from advertisement hoardings, billboards and banners during the current fiscal and so far, the civic body has collected `30 lakh.
The municipal authorities had launched the drive in February and removed commercial advertisement boards installed in front of the shops and business establishments besides on private land in the city. The drive was aimed at improving the collection of municipal revenue besides streamlining unauthorised advertisements.
While shopkeepers and business establishments were allowed to display the name of their enterprise, the SMC staff removed advertisement boards of companies whose product they deal with. Later, the traders expressed their willingness to pay tax for putting up the advertisement boards and hoardings. The SMC is charging `50 per sqft for display of commercial advertisements in front of shops and business establishments.
Earlier, shops and business establishments were displaying commercial advertisements of several companies including telecom, soft drinks, garments and electronic goods without seeking permission from the SMC. Now, enterprises willing to display such boards will be allowed if they take permission and pay the revenue against the boards, Bhoi said. Before launching the drive, the SMC had made extensive announcement about the rule and asked people to apply for permission to display advertisement boards.