BANGALORE: What started as an issue to de-clog sanitation pipes as a result of illegal laying of Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) has snowballed into a fight between the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the state authorities.With over Rs 500 crore as revenue per year, there is little to imagine as to why the civic agency is clashing with its state counter parts.This has led to Corporators taking the government head on and going as far as alleging that the Department of IT/BT and e-governance is hand in gloves with the OFC contractors and denying the Palike its dues.Yediyur Corporator N R Ramesh first introduced the topic in the Council and since then claims to have been threatened by OFC Layers’ Associations and other contractors.The earlier meeting with the Chief Secretary proved futile as Principal Secretary IT/BT and e-governance M N Vidyashankar is said to have opposed the taxation which earned the wrath of the Corporators. It was later stated that the Palike should conduct a joint survey to ensure that businesses and customers are not affected by the drive.But sources stated that the officials are doing all they can to ensure the BBMP does not disturb the OFC contractors. According to the BBMP, there is over 40,000 kms of OFC cables laid in the city, while only 5,000 kms have been declared.BBMP officials have also stated that out of the 18 companies only 12 have declared the total amount of cable laid. But the Palike has made strong objections and has claimed that the bulk of their cables have not been declared.The BBMP has made its demands clear that it will make these companies cough up Rs 120 per metre per month.
Comments
0 comment