Patna, June 14: Mobile towers in the state would now be put under fresh norms, made specifically to regulate their installation and generating of constant revenues from them.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi today confirmed that the government is in the final stages of framing Bihar Commercial Towers and related Structures Rules 2011, which would keep a tab on uncontrolled growth of mobile towers and loss of the related revenue.

After the move, those having a mobile tower on the rooftops of their houses would not find it easy to take the entire rent and put in into their pockets.

“We had observed that there are rarely any norms to keep tabs on the mobile towers and the revenue generated from these. Thus, we have proposed some rules. The set of rules would be titled as Bihar Commercial Towers and Structures Rules 2011 and it would get the approval from the cabinet very soon. Under these rules new mobile towers or those already installed without getting permission, would now be required to get permission from the respective local bodies. Along with the application for installing towers, the applicant would also be required to submit all requisite documents,” said Modi.

Besides, a Structural Safety Certificate from engineer concerned would also be made mandatory, so as to ensure the safety of the structure on which the tower is to be installed. It would be ensured that the tower is at a safe distance from high-tension wires. The applicant would also be required to obtain a noise regulation certificate for the sound emitted from the electric equipment in the towers.

Moreover, fresh rates for the registration charges and yearly tax rates are also fixed for the urban local bodies.

“In a municipal corporation area, Rs 50,000 as registration fees and Rs 15,000 as tax would be charged per tower every year. Similarly, in a municipal council area, Rs 40,000 as registration fees and Rs 10,000 as tax would be charged ever year for each tower. In a nagar panchayat area, Rs 30,000 would be charged as registration fees and Rs 8,000 as tax per year. Besides the amount paid by telecom operators, the owners of the building would also be required to pay holding tax for the area on which the mobile tower is erected on the rooftop, as it pertains to commercial utilisation of the property. Moreover, a hike of 25 percent is also propped after every five years,” Modi said, adding that a rebate of 20 per cent would also be given to those applicants who wish to pay the entire sum for five years in advance.

Modi said preference would be given for installation of mobile towers in open areas. “Mobile towers would not be installed 100m from schools, colleges and hospitals. Old mobile towers would be asked to pay a cumulative tax since they were installed. These rules would first get implemented in the urban areas and later in the rural areas,” he said.