Industry & Economy
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Radio/TV
Cable operators told to clear tax dues
Our Bureau
COIMBATORE, Nov. 14
THE Pollachi Municipality has issued an ultimatum to the cable TV operators to remit their tax dues immediately or face stringent action.
The entertainment tax arrears is said to have mounted to Rs 30 lakh. The Municipality has served notices on the operators for realising its dues.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the State Government had issued an Order two years back directing the operators to register with the local bodies by remitting a deposit of Rs 10,000.
Besides the deposit, the Government had directed the local bodies to collect tax from these operators for drawing cables across roads on a kilometre basis and on the number of connections. The Government fixed the ceiling at Rs 20 for a connection in the corporation area, Rs 15 in municipality and Rs 10 in town panchayats.
The local bodies subsequently decided to fix their own rate with the approval of the council. However, the operators seldom paid their dues. While a large number of them got away scot-free, some remitted a token sum towards entertainment tax.
Records show that the tax demand on the cable lines drawn amounted to Rs 4.23 lakh for the period May 1, 2000 to March 31, 2003, of which a sum of Rs.1.08 lakh has been collected.
The arrears on account of the number of connections for the period between July 2000 and October 31, 2002 amounted to Rs 27.24 lakh. The operators, after being served the notice, are now seeking time for remitting their tax dues. Reliable sources say they are appealing for some concession or waiver on the levy.
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