Panchkula MC to snap overhead internet cables over pending dues

The decision was taken during the civic body’s revenue realisation committee meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of mayor Kulbhushan Goyal

Taking strict note of overdue rent payments, the municipal corporation has decided to disconnect overhead cables of eight companies over the next week.

During the meeting, the issue of outstanding property tax was also raised. (HT File Photo)

The decision was taken during the civic body’s revenue realisation committee meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of mayor Kulbhushan Goyal.

Taking strong note of the “non-recovery of even a single rupee” from the internet service providers, mayor Kulbhushan Goyal said the companies — Fastway, Foxcel, Esto Broadband, RailTel Corporation, Connect Broadband, One Fiber Internet, Base Connect, Speedo Go Fiber — failed to pay the rentals and had laid a network of overhead wires.

The civic body has recovered ₹2.5 crore in connection with the mobile towers, the mayor said.

Targets to recover ₹9 crore from house tax, mobile lines and towers were set in the civic body meeting. “Instructions were issued to the officers to recover the amount and strict action be taken against any company or private and government organisation that does not deposit the money,” Goyal said.

Two-day special camp to correct property ID

Shifting focus to issues faced by the residents, the civic body has decided to hold another two-day camp on July 1 and July 2 for correction in property IDs.

During the meeting, the issue of outstanding property tax was also raised. The mayor instructed officials concerned to collect tax from defaulters immediately by sending out notices.

Pet owners, plastic users under scanner

Since April this year, only 15 dogs have been registered as compared to 1,000 from the last fiscal year. Keeping in view the same, the mayor issued directions to fine the pet owners who have failed to register their dogs. “The residents will be given seven days notice to get their dogs registered failing which challans be issued to the owners,” the mayor said.

The mayor also issued instructions to the officials to issue maximum challans to those using plastic, while highlighting the need to increase the collection of Kisan Mandi from ₹8 lakh per month to ₹10 lakh per month.

A civic body team on Wednesday snapped the overhead fibre cables that had been laid without permission in Sector 2. Sub divisional officer Manoj Ahlawat said the companies whose overhead fibre cables have been cut include Airtel, Jio, Connect Broadband. Commissioner Sachin Gupta said the civic body team is continuously working to cut overhead fibre cables. He instructed the companies not to lay overhead cables and opt for underground too after taking due permission.

Illegal hoardings removed

Municipal corporation removed illegal hoardings on Wednesday in sectors 5, 11, 23, 25 and 25. The action comes after illegal hoardings had started cropping up in various parts of the city. Deputy corporation commissioner Apoorva Chowdhary said that illegal advertisement hoardings, boards and banners had been put up at various intersections and similar actions will continue in the future.

Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal said that these hoardings affect the beauty of the city.

He added that as per MC rules, advertisement and promotional material can be pasted only on unipoles.

“Advertising agencies did not take permission from the civic body to put up these hoardings and they are evading taxes and charges as well,” Goyal added.