Sambalpur, Oct. 10: The corporation has taken steps to earn revenues from billboards and banners ahead of Durga Puja.

The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation had made announcements asking organisations to take its permission before displaying any advertisements in the civic body areas.

"During Durga Puja, several agencies put up billboards and banners displaying many products. They had been asked to seek our permission before putting them up," said the civic body's deputy commissioner Sudhansu Bhoi. He said its permission was also required to put up hoardings on private land.

"Stringent action will be taken against the violators. We had formed our team to check any such violations," said Bhoi.

To get the permission, one has to submit an application, mentioning the size of the advertisement material and the location where it would be put up.

The corporation will charge an amount considering the size and accord permission.

Referring to the 84 blank frames, which have been installed across the city by the civic body for putting up advertisements, Bhoi said: "We have outsourced these to seven advertising agencies. They are managing the frames and will pay us for that."

"Earlier, the civic body used to earn around Rs 16 lakh a year from advertisements. However, this year, we have earned around Rs 23 lakh," Bhoi said.<>

"Putting up advertisements without permission results in financial loss to the corporation. Some people break rules deliberately, while others do it out of ignorance," said local resident Binod Dash.

Another resident said that ever since Sambalpur became a corporation, several new areas have been brought within its purview, and accordingly, revenue earnings of the civic body should go up. "The civic body could earn huge revenues from hoardings which will help it carry out projects," said Aditya Sahu.