SMC aims to increase non-tax revenue from Rs 10 to 100 cr

Surat: With an aim to increase its non-tax revenue, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has come up with a new advertising and display policy.
Under this, the SMC aims to generate additional revenue of Rs 100 crore in the year 2020-21. Generation of this revenue will be obtained through digital display at around 100 different sites in the city at key locations, apart from revision of ad rates on private location through decentralization.At present, the SMC’s annual revenue in this segment is pathetic Rs 10 crore.
“We are looking at collecting additional revenue required for the city’s development work through non-traditional way. Time has come for Surat to garner revenue from sources other than traditional tax collections,” said SMC commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani.
“Till now, we have not explored locations in the city which have recently come up for public recreation like Shahid Smarak, Old Castle and Gopi Talav. We will explore the possibility of LED, other digital hoardings and display at more than 100 different sites,” Pani added.
To generate such revenue, the SMC needs additional manpower that can identify spots with potential and make use of that. “I have asked for rapid de-centralization of this work. Now, in place of town planning department, respective zones will be entrusted with the responsibility of locating and dealing with such spots so that quick tendering for rights of advertisements can be given.” explained Pani.
Under the new advertising policy, rates prevailing for hoardings and ads display in private properties will also be reviewed. Full potentials for digital displays of public places like areas near railway station, bus stations, air port, gardens and lakes will be explored and used.
At public facilities like foot over bridges, gentries and other areas under flyovers and bridges will also be identified and used for advertisement revenue earning.
“We will be coming up with e-tendering policy shortly so no time is wasted, and quick allotment can take place,” said an official from the town planning department.
“At present, the SMC’s revenue from such means is not more than Rs 10 crore per year because we have not explored this possibility till now mainly as the we didn’t feel the need to get additional revenue from other sources. But now, when Surat is taking next step towards becoming a mega city, such revenue will play a pivotal part in development,” the official added.